gnu

American  

[noo, nyoo] / nu, nyu /

noun

plural

gnus,

plural

gnu

1. either of two stocky, oxlike antelopes of the genus Connochaetes, the silver-gray, white-bearded C. taurinus of the eastern African plain and the black, white-tailed C. gnou of central South Africa: recently near extinction, the South African gnu is now protected.

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gnu British  

/ nuː /

noun

1. Also called: wildebeest.  either of two sturdy antelopes, Connochaetes taurinus ( brindled gnu ) or the much rarer C. gnou ( white-tailed gnu ), inhabiting the savannas of Africa, having an oxlike head and a long tufted tail

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Etymology

Origin of gnu

1770–80; < Khoikhoi, first recorded as t’gnu; probably to be identified with ǂnû black, as applying originally to the black wildebeest

Explanation

Have you heard the gnus? A gnu (the "g" is silent) is a large animal with hooves that's found in the southernmost part of Africa. You can see gnus in zoos. A gnu is the same thing as a wildebeest — gnu comes from the Dutch gnoe, which has roots in the Khoisan i-ngu and the Southern Bushman !nu: (with the ! and : representing clicks). Gnus are related to antelopes, sharing their long legs, curved horns, and hooves. The official term for a group of gnus is a herd, although many writers prefer the unofficial term "an implausibility of gnus."

Example Sentences

“I sold a gnu to an 80-year-old couple in Boston,” he said.

From New York Times • Mar. 5, 2015

Beside the lake stands a lodge decorated with overstuffed couches, a billiard table and trophies — the heads of elk, impala, gnu and Cape buffalo — from his many expeditions.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2014

At other times the kitten lies in wait on the vast savannah that is our garden, before spotting her mother and flying at her as if she was a wounded gnu.

From The Guardian • Jul. 12, 2013

On the hillside roam bison, zebra, kangaroo, giraffe, llama, antelope, the emu and the gnu.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mr. MacPherson said, looking over his gnu glasses and wincing at the sheer volume.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness