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]