[bahy-suh
n, -zuhn] 
| 1. | Also called American bison, American buffalo. a North American, oxlike ruminant, Bison bison, having a large head and high, humped shoulders: formerly common in North America, its small remaining population in isolated western areas of the U.S. and Canada is now protected. |
| 2. | Also called wisent. a related animal, Bison bonasus, of Europe, less shaggy and slightly larger than the American bison: now greatly reduced in number. |
[bahy-suhn-tahyn, -zuhn-] , adjective | wi·sent (vē'zənt) n. The European bison (Bison bonasus) having a smaller and higher head than the North American bison. Also called aurochs. [German, from Middle High German, from Old High German wisunt.] |