gemsbok

[ gemz-bok ]

noun

, plural gems·boks, (especially collectively) gems·bok.

1. a large antelope, Oryx gazella, the largest of the oryxes, found in arid regions of southern Africa, including the Kalahari Desert, having a long black tail and conspicuous black striping on the face and from the chin to the front legs and along each lower flank to the rear legs: despite being widely hunted for their nearly straight horns, which are about 33 inches (84 centimeters) long on the males and slightly longer on the females, gemsbok have a conservation status of least concern.

gemsbok

/ ˈɡɛmzˌbʌk /

noun

1. another word for oryx

Word History and Origins

Origin of gemsbok¹

First recorded in 1770–80; from Afrikaans, from German Gemsbock “chamois buck, male chamois”; gems, buck ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of gemsbok¹

C18: from Afrikaans, from German Gemsbock, from Gemse chamois + Bock buck ¹

Example Sentences

The authors cite a hypothetical hunt of a gemsbok, a large antelope from southern Africa.

From Science Magazine

Hundreds of deaths were also reported of blackbuck antelope, originally from India and Pakistan; gemsbok, an antelope with long horns; Barbary sheep; and scimitar-horned oryx calves.

From Washington Post

Males are night hunters and, being 50 percent bigger than females, will target big, meaty quarry like gemsbok and kudu.

From New York Times

The carcass of a gemsbok, a large antelope, was placed to lure the lion but it didn’t appear.

From Washington Times

There are also 45 species of mammals in the park, including gemsbok, springbok, and mountain zebras.

From Washington Times