gemsbok

noun

gems·​bok ˈgemz-ˌbäk How to pronounce gemsbok (audio)
: a large and strikingly marked oryx (Oryx gazella) formerly abundant in southern Africa

Illustration of gemsbok

Illustration of gemsbok

Examples of gemsbok in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Fencing and moats were created with a private grant, and in 1970 three species of hoofed animals — a South African sable antelope, greater kudu and gemsbok — arrived. Gary Warth, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2022 Dunleavy, in his disclosure, reported that Robinson gave him a Ruger revolver, the charter helicopter ride and four taxidermied deer and gemsbok heads, with an overall value of $3,000 to $7,000. Nathaniel Herz, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Apr. 2022 The attraction plans to add gemsbok, kudu and springbok to its lineup of 150 animals. Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, 11 June 2021 To survive in the Kalahari, the gemsbok -- a large antelope -- digs for water-storing plants and roots. Michael Cross; Story By Tom Page, CNN, 9 July 2020 The two people inside the car told the officer and a Texas Game Warden that the heads, which were those of an elk, a buck and a gemsbok, were all legally obtained during a hunting trip to El Paso. Jay R. Jordan, Houston Chronicle, 17 Feb. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans, from German Gemsbock male chamois, from Gems chamois + Bock male goat

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gemsbok was in 1777

Dictionary Entries Near gemsbok

Cite this Entry

“Gemsbok.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gemsbok. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.

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