duiker

[ dahy-ker ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural dui·kers, (especially collectively) dui·ker.

any of several small African antelopes of the Cephalophus, Sylvicapra, and related genera, the males and often the females having short, spikelike horns: some are endangered.

duiker

/ ˈdaɪˌkə /

Also calledduikerbokˈdaɪkəbɒk any small antelope of the genera Cephalophus and Sylvicapra, occurring throughout Africa south of the Sahara, having short straight backward-pointing horns, pointed hooves, and an arched back
any of several cormorants, esp the long-tailed shag ( Phalacrocorax africanus )

Origin of duiker¹

1770–80; < Afrikaans, Dutch duiker diver, equivalent to duiken to dive ( duck ² ) + -er -er ¹

Origin of duiker¹

C18: via Afrikaans from Dutch duiker diver, from duiken to dive; see duck ²

Upon reaching the road, it stopped, and looked at me, and I then saw that it was a duiker.

They are all small, the dik-dik being scarcely larger than a rabbit, and they are divided into as many subspecies as the duiker.

In fact, it gets its Dutch name for that reason, duiker bok, meaning "diving buck" in Dutch.

The duiker is another little antelope that one meets frequently in the grassy places of East Africa.

The banded duiker (C. doriae) from West Africa is golden brown with black transverse bands on the back and loins.

April 23, 2024inveterate

[in-vet-er-it ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse