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wapiti

 - 3 dictionary results

wap⋅i⋅ti

[wop-i-tee]
–noun, plural -tis, (especially collectively) -ti.
elk (def. 2).

Origin:
1806, Americanism; < Shawnee wa⋅piti lit., white rump (equiv. to Proto-Algonquian *wa⋅p- white + *-etwiy- rump); introduced as an E word by U.S. physician and naturalist Benjamin S. Barton

elk

[elk]
–noun, plural elks, (especially collectively) elk for 1, 2.
1. Also called European elk. the moose, Alces alces.
2. Also called American elk, wapiti. a large North American deer, Cervus canadensis, the male of which has large, spreading antlers.
3. a pliable leather used for sport shoes, made originally of elk hide but now of calfskin or cowhide tanned and smoked to resemble elk hide.
4. (initial capital letter) a member of a fraternal organization (Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks) that supports or contributes to various charitable causes.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE eolc, eolh; c. G Elch (OHG el(a)ho), L alcēs, Gk álkē
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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wap·i·ti   (wŏp'ĭ-tē)   
n.   wapiti or wap·i·tis
A large light brown or grayish-brown North American deer (Cervus canadensis) having long, branching antlers. Also called American elk, elk.

[Shawnee waapiti.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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