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oryx

[ awr-iks, ohr- ]

noun

, plural o·ryx·es, (especially collectively) o·ryx.
  1. a large antelope of the genus Oryx, with pale fur and long horns: three species are native to arid regions of Africa, and the fourth inhabits Arabia.


oryx

/ ˈɒrɪks /

noun

  1. any large African antelope of the genus Oryx, typically having long straight nearly upright horns


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Word History and Origins

Origin of oryx1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English orix, from Latin oryx “wild goat, gazelle,” from Greek óryx “iron tool for digging, pickax, gazelle, antelope” (from its sharp horns)

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Word History and Origins

Origin of oryx1

C14: via Latin from Greek orux stonemason's axe, used also of the pointed horns of an antelope

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Example Sentences

If it is a young man, they should start with Oryx and Crake.

Harris has given much better arguments in favour of the unicorn being merely a species of oryx.

Toward midnight a number of oryx were seen, their long, black, sword-like horns mixed with a herd of zebra.

Schoverling put down another oryx and a zebra, whose flesh the Masai delighted in, though it was too tough for the others.

To his vast delight, von Hofe's oryx bounded high and fell dead; it was found that both bullets had gone through the heart.

Gradually game became apparent, and after knocking over a couple of gazelles and a fine oryx, they found a waterhole.

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