muntjac

or munt·jak

[ muhnt-jak ]

noun

1. any of various small Asian deer of the genus Muntiacus, noted for its barking call, especially M. muntjac, of South and Southeast Asia, and M. reevesi, native to China and introduced elsewhere, including England, Belgium, and Japan: the male muntjac has a pair of sharp, tusklike canines, and its short, sharp antlers grow from bony pedicles.

muntjac

/ ˈmʌntˌdʒæk /

noun

1. any small Asian deer of the genus Muntiacus, typically having a chestnut-brown coat, small antlers, and a barklike cry Also calledbarking deer

Word History and Origins

Origin of muntjac¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Dutch or directly from Sundanese mənyčək “a kind of chevrotain”; the reason for subsequent application to this deer is uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of muntjac¹

C18: probably changed from Javanese mindjangan deer

Example Sentences

He said it helped control numbers of the deer, including muntjac and Chinese water deer, which he said were at an "all-time high".

From BBC

It was not a kangaroo but a muntjac, a small Asian deer with sharp teeth and a loping gait.

From Washington Post

The deer, of the muntjac variety found in the New Forest, had apparently been carried three miles across the strait by the tide, to end up off Princes Green, Cowes, on the Isle of Wight.

From BBC

Years of hunting previously left native species, such as muntjac deer and monkeys, at risk of extinction - but since commercial hunting was banned in 1989, the species have begun to recover.

From BBC

More unexpected, however, was the lunchtime visit from a muntjac deer which I’m glad to have clear evidence of, as I might have taken it as a sign of cabin fever.

From The Guardian