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. See oryx
   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 gemsbok is of about the same size as the kudu, and is gray in color above and white below.

From Project Gutenberg

Another very fine antelope is the gemsbok, which is found in the more desert regions of Southwestern Africa.

From Project Gutenberg

The antelope was dead, but the lion still alive; though the horns of the gemsbok had passed through his body.

From Project Gutenberg

Swinton was anxious to possess one or two more specimens of the oryx, or gemsbok.

From Project Gutenberg

The Oryx, or Gemsbok, is a middle-sized species, dwelling in the same neighbourhood with the gnus.

From Project Gutenberg