cervid

American  

[sur-vid] / ˈsɜr vɪd /

noun

Zoology.

1. any member of the deer family, Cervidae, comprising deer, caribou, elk, and moose, characterized by the bearing of antlers in the male or in both sexes.

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cervid British  

/ ˈsɜːvɪd /

noun

1. any ruminant mammal of the family Cervidae, including the deer, characterized by the presence of antlers

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Cervidae

cervid Scientific  

/ sûr′vĭd /

1. Any of various hoofed mammals of the family Cervidae, which includes the deer and elk. Male cervids typically grow antlers that are shed yearly.

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Etymology

Origin of cervid

First recorded in 1885–90; from New Latin Cervidae, equivalent to Cerv(us), a genus of the family ( Latin: “stag, deer”) + -idae -id ²

Explanation

A cervid is a deer or one of its very close relatives. Cervids have hooves and antlers. Next time you see a moose, elk, or reindeer, you can say, "Hey, there's a cervid!" These members of the taxonomic family Cervidae are colloquially known as deer. They include animals with hard hooves, and in the case of adult males, large antlers (female caribou have them too). Like cows, cervids are ruminants who chew grasses that get fermented in an extra stomach before being digested. The Latin root of cervid is cervus, "deer."

Example Sentences

The disease attacks the brain and nervous system, and targets members of the cervid family, such as deer, elk, reindeer and moose.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2024

As the days of summer days passgrow longer, so do the antlers get longer onof deer, moose, elk and other animals in the cervid, or deer, family.

From New York Times • Jun. 21, 2022

Many of the public lands in Okanogan Country were acquired for winter range for mule deer and other cervid populations, including the Golden Doe Wildlife Area.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 18, 2021

The run-in is unlikely to end happily for cervid or hominid.

From Washington Post • Sep. 23, 2021

This large cervid apparently is increasing in numbers in the state.

From Additional Records and Extensions of Known Ranges of Mammals from Utah by Durrant, Stephen D.