deer — a hoofed grazing or browsing animal, with branched bony antlers that are shed annually and typically borne only by the male
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a hoofed grazing or browsing animal, with branched bony antlers that are shed annually and typically borne only by the male
Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪr/
Example Sentences
- The deer froze like a statue when it saw the headlights - talk about being caught in the spotlight!
- A family of deer visits our garden every morning to have their free breakfast buffet.
- The deer population in this national park has increased significantly over the past decade.
deer
NOUN[/dɪr/]
a hoofed grazing or browsing animal, with branched bony antlers that are shed annually and typically borne only by the male
Deer with branched antlers grazing
The deer felt fear, but danger wasn't near.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Derived from Old English 'deor', which originally meant 'wild animal' in general. This Germanic word shares the same root as German 'Tier' (animal), reflecting a broader semantic field in early Germanic languages before specialization to a specific species.
Breakdown
The word derives from the Proto-Germanic root *deuzam (animal, beast). Over time, the meaning narrowed in English to refer specifically to the ruminant animal we now call deer, while related Germanic languages retained the broader meaning.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The deer froze like a statue when it saw the headlights - talk about being caught in the spotlight!”
“A family of deer visits our garden every morning to have their free breakfast buffet.”
“The deer population in this national park has increased significantly over the past decade.”
“She moved as gracefully as a deer through the forest.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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