Main Entry: oryx

Pronunciation: \ˈȯr-iks, ˈär-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural oryx or oryx·es

Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, a gazelle, from Greek, pickax, antelope, kind of whale, from oryssein to dig; akin to Latin runcare to grub up, weed, Sanskrit luñcati he plucks

Date: 1535

: any of a small genus (Oryx) of large heavily built African and Arabian antelopes that have a light-colored coat with dark conspicuous markings especially on the face — compare gemsbok

[oryx illustration]