markhor

[ mahr-kawr ]

noun

, plural mar·khors, (especially collectively) mar·khor.

1. a wild goat, Capra falconeri, of mountainous regions from Afghanistan to India, having compressed, spiral horns and long, shaggy hair: all populations are threatened or endangered.

markhor

/ ˈmɑːkɔː; ˈmɑːkʊə /

noun

1. a large wild Himalayan goat, Capra falconeri, with a reddish-brown coat and large spiralled horns

Word History and Origins

Origin of markhor¹

1865–70; < Persian mārkhōr literally, serpent-eater, equivalent to mār snake + -khōr eating; manticore

Word History and Origins

Origin of markhor¹

C19: from Persian, literally: snake-eater, from mār snake + -khōr eating

Example Sentences

On a hill, the skull of a markhor goat was nailed over a graveyard’s gate.

From New York Times

Let’s say the markhor has a 73 percent chance of winning against the streaked tenrec.

From The Verge

It took a few seconds to realize that the animal, a wild Astore markhor, was dead.

From Washington Post

“It was an easy and close shot and I am pleased to take this trophy,” Harlan told Pakistan's Dawn News, who first published a photograph of him kneeling and smiling behind a wild Astor markhor.

From Fox News

“There used to be ibex, markhor goats, other wildlife,” said Hameed, 49.

From Los Angeles Times