wapiti

American  

[wop-i-tee] / ˈwɒp ɪ ti /

noun

plural

wapitis,

plural

wapiti

1. elk.

---

wapiti British  

/ ˈwɒpɪtɪ /

noun

1. Also called: American elk.  a large deer, Cervus canadensis, with large much-branched antlers, native to North America and now also common in the South Island of New Zealand

---

Etymology

Origin of wapiti

An Americanism dating back to 1805–10; from Shawnee wa·piti literally, “white rump” (equivalent to unattested Proto-Algonquian wa·p- “white” + unattested -etwiy- “rump”); introduced as an English word by U.S. physician and naturalist Benjamin S. Barton ( 1766–1815 )

Example Sentences

The EVA team found some of the ancient DNA came from wapiti, the species of elk whose tooth was used to make it.

From Science Magazine • May 3, 2023

When the wapiti were spread out it necessitated a daily snowmobile ride to each site, and feeding often entailed a long day’s work.

From Washington Times • Mar. 8, 2017

Authorities say a witness saw the men shoot at the wapiti and then make no attempt to investigate the outcome of the gunfire or dress the animals.

From Washington Times • May 7, 2015

Muskrats come down from Bohemia, and heavy-bodied stags recall the days when Francis Joseph I imported wapiti from America for the royal hunt.

From Time Magazine Archive

The bighorn resembles the wapiti in colour, although it is of a lighter brown, especially in winter.

From North America by Russell, Israel C. (Cook)