cervus canadensis

2 definitions found

cervus canadensis - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Wapiti \Wap"i*ti\, n. [Probably the Iroquois name. Bartlett.]
     (Zool.)
     The American elk (Cervus Canadensis). It is closely related
     to the European red deer, which it somewhat exceeds in size.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: By some writers it is thought to be a variety of the
           red deer, but it is considered a distinct species by
           others. It is noted for the large, branching antlers of
           the male.
           [1913 Webster]

  elk \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 allied to the American moose. The American elk, or
     wapiti (Cervus Canadensis) the largest member of the deer
     family, has large, spreading antlers and is closely related
     to the European stag. See Moose, and Wapiti.
     [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
     Irish elk (Paleon.), a large, extinct, Quaternary deer
        (Cervus giganteus) with widely spreading antlers. Its
        remains have been found beneath the peat of swamps in
        Ireland and England. See Illustration in Appendix; also
        Illustration of Antler.
  
     Cape elk (Zo["o]l.), the eland. elk