eland

[ ee-luhnd ]

noun

, plural e·lands, (especially collectively) e·land.

1. either of two large African antelopes of the genus Taurotragus, having long, spirally twisted horns: now rare.

eland

/ ˈiːlənd /

noun

1. a large spiral-horned antelope, Taurotragus oryx, inhabiting bushland in eastern and southern Africa. It has a dewlap and a hump on the shoulders and is light brown with vertical white stripes
2. giant eland
   a similar but larger animal, T. derbianus, living in wooded areas of central and W Africa

Word History and Origins

Origin of eland¹

First recorded in 1780–90; from Afrikaans, from Dutch eland “elk” ( Middle Dutch elen, elant ), from early modern German Elen(d), probably from Lithuanian éllenis (now élnis; akin to Old Church Slavonic jelenĭ “stag”) or an Old Prussian equivalent; akin to elk

Word History and Origins

Origin of eland¹

C18: via Afrikaans from Dutch eland elk; related to Old Slavonic jeleni stag, Greek ellos fawn

Example Sentences

"The Ministry will contribute 723 animals comprising 30 hippos, 60 buffalos, 50 impalas, 100 blue wilderbeast, 300 zebras, 83 elephants and 100 elands," the Namibian Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism said in a statement.

From Salon

Biri, a famous rain priestess, and her two brothers had founded the eland clan.

From Literature

He’s currently expecting a shipment of 15 animal trophies from a recent hunting trip in Africa, including heads of sable and eland antelopes.

From The Guardian

She had already been to the island herself, camping among pythons and eland antelope.

From Los Angeles Times

There are more than 12,000 elephants roaming Mana’s flood plains as well as an abundance of lions, buffaloes, zebras, wild dogs, hyenas, zebras and elands.

From Washington Times