elk
UK: elk | US: elk
n. A large deer species (Alces alces), native to northern regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, characterized by palmate antlers in males.
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The word "elk" traces back to Old English eolh, derived from Proto-Germanic elhaz (compare Old Norse elgr, German Elch). Its deeper roots lie in Proto-Indo-European h₁élḱis, likely referring to a reddish-brown deer. The term has retained its core meaning across millennia, though its geographic associations shifted slightly—modern "elk" in Europe refers to Alces alces, while in North America, it colloquially denotes the wapiti (Cervus canadensis).
An elk grazed quietly at the edge of the forest.
Hunters in Scandinavia often track elk during autumn.
The male elk’s antlers can span over six feet.
Climate change threatens elk habitats in northern latitudes.
We heard an elk bugling at dawn.