elk

elk
/elk/, n., pl. elks, (esp. 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. (cap.) a member of a fraternal organization (Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks) that supports or contributes to various charitable causes.
[bef. 900; ME; OE eolc, eolh; c. G Elch (OHG el(a)ho), L alces, Gk álke]

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Any of several species of large deer in the genus Cervus, notably the red deer of Europe, the Kashmir stag, and the Himalayan shou, as well as the North American deer more correctly called wapiti.

The creature called elk in Europe is a member of the species (Alces alces) known in North America as moose. The name is also applied to the extinct Irish elk.

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      county, north-central Pennsylvania, U.S. It consists of a mountainous region on the Allegheny Plateau that is drained by the west and east branches of the Clarion River. Parklands include Elk and Bendigo state parks and part of Allegheny National Forest.

      Elk county was created in 1843. The principal communities are St. Marys, Johnsonburg, and Ridgway, which is the county seat. The chief manufactures are electronic equipment and fabricated metal products. Area 829 square miles (2,146 square km). Pop. (2000) 35,112; (2007 est.) 32,610.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Synonyms:
, (Cervus alces or Alces molchis)


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Ełk — Ełk …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • elk — (ĕlk) n. pl. elk or elks 1) A large reddish brown or grayish deer (Cervus canadensis) of western North America, having long, branching antlers in the male. The elk is sometimes considered a subspecies of the closely related red deer. Also called… …   Word Histories

  • elk — ([e^]lk), n. [Icel. elgr; akin to Sw. elg, AS. eolh, OHG. elaho, MHG. elch, cf. L. alces; perh. akin to E. eland.] (Zo[ o]l.) A large deer, of several species. The European elk {Alces alces} (formerly {Alces machlis} or {Cervus alces}) is closely …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • elk — [elk] n plural elk [: Old English; Origin: eolh] 1.) BrE a very large brown North American, European, and Asian animal with wide flat horns American Equivalent: moose 2.) AmE a large North American ↑deer …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • elk — [elk] n. pl. elk or elks [ME, irreg. development (with k for ch) < OE eolh, akin to Ger elch, ON elgr < Gmc base * alchis < IE base * el , stag, hart > Welsh elain, doe, Lith élnis, Gr elaphos, deer] 1. MOOSE: the common term in… …   English World dictionary

  • elk — elk, elke elke, n. (Zo[ o]l.) The European wild or whistling swan ({Cygnus ferus}). [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Elk — ([e^]lk), prop. n. a member of the fraternal organization named Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, supporting various services to their communities. [PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Elk [2] — Elk, 1) Grafschaft im Staate Pennsylvanien (Nordamerika), 37 QM.; Flüsse: Clarion River u. die Quellenarme des Sinnemahoning Creek; Boden gebirgig (namentlich im Süden Elk Mountain) u. waldig; Hauptproduct: Bauholz, dann etwas Mais u. Hafer,… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • elk — [ elk ] noun count a type of large DEER that lives in North America, Europe, and Asia: MOOSE …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • elk — elk; elk·slip; …   English syllables

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