antler

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noun ant·ler \ ˈant-lər \

Definition of antler

:one of the paired deciduous solid bony processes that arise from the frontal bone on the head of an animal of the deer family; also :a branch of an antler

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antlered

play \-lərd\ adjective

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antlerless

play \-ləs\ adjective

See antler defined for English-language learners

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Recent Examples of antler from the Web

Don't let the excitement of a big set of antlers get you in trouble.

— steve meyer, Alaska Dispatch News, "You’ve shot your moose. Are you strong enough to pack it out?," 23 Aug. 2017
Looking ahead, style blogger Kate Arend’s first pet collection — think festive buffalo check bowls, PJs, bandannas and antler headbands — will hits select Target stores Oct. 31 in time for the holidays.

— lisa boone, latimes.com, "Our 12 favorite products from the new Ellen DeGeneres cat line for PetSmart," 23 Aug. 2017
Staring back at him were two large male deer, each with a majestic set of antlers.

— steve schering, chicagotribune.com, "July storms lead deer to River Forest man's yard: 'They are beautiful animals, but they are big'," 3 Aug. 2017
The trenches would have been dug out using antler picks and wooden spades: tough, labor-intensive work.

— emily cleaver, Smithsonian, "Against All Odds, England’s Massive Chalk Horse Has Survived 3,000 Years," 6 July 2017
The material dug from the site was replete with bone, stone and antler tools.

— lynda v. mapes, The Seattle Times, "Land transfer brings closure to Lummi tribe 20 years after ancestors’ remains disturbed," 30 June 2017
The issue of moose taken illegally due to lack of antler spread isn't new.

— steve meyer, Alaska Dispatch News, "Trying to make sense of Alaska’s moose-hunting regulations," 28 June 2017
The bucks spar with their hooves because their still-forming antlers are sensitive.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Boxing bucks caught on camera in Tennessee," 23 June 2017
The antlers must be handed over to the state’s wildlife agency.

— Washington Post, "Oregon joins states where roadkill can be harvested for food," 22 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'antler.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of antler

Middle English aunteler, from Anglo-French antiler, from Vulgar Latin *anteoculare, from neuter of *anteocularis located before the eye, from Latin ante- + oculus eye — more at eye

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First Known Use: 14th century

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ANTLER Defined for English Language Learners

antler

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noun

Definition of antler for English Language Learners

: the horn of a deer or similar animal

ANTLER Defined for Kids

antler

play

noun ant·ler \ ˈant-lər \

Definition of antler for Students

:a bony branching structure that grows from the head of a deer or related animal (as a moose) and that is cast off and grown anew each year

—

antlered

\-lərd\ adjective

Learn More about antler

Spanish Central: Translation of antler Nglish: Translation of antler for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of antler for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about antler

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antler

Definition of antler

antlered

antlerless

Recent Examples of antler from the Web

Origin and Etymology of antler

ANTLER Defined for English Language Learners

antler

Definition of antler for English Language Learners

ANTLER Defined for Kids

antler

Definition of antler for Students

antlered

Learn More about antler

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antler

Definition of antler

antlered

antlerless

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Origin and Etymology of antler

ANTLER Defined for English Language Learners

antler

Definition of antler for English Language Learners

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antler

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antlered

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