muntjac

noun munt·jac \ ˈmən(t)-ˌjak , ˈmən-ˌchak \

|Updated on: 25 Jun 2018

Definition of muntjac

: any of a genus (Muntiacus) of small deer of southeastern Asia with an alarm call similar to the bark of a dog and having in the male elongated, downward-pointing upper canine teeth which protrude from the lip and short, usually unbranched, pointed antlers : barking deer

Would-be predators risk flesh-ripping tusks, or long canine teeth, which extend an inch or two from muntjacs' mouths.
—Noel Vietmeyer

A muntjac or barking deer, was found in the Vu Quang Preserve in Nghe Tinh Province, Vietnam.
—Tom Hilchey

Recent Examples of muntjac from the Web

In spite of the recent large-antlered muntjac sighting, researchers are worried about the animal’s viability.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Rare Sighting of Small, Critically Endangered Deer Reported in Vietnam," 26 May 2018
The large-antlered muntjac, a small species of deer that dwells in the Annamite mountains of Vietnam and Laos, is dangling dangerously close to extinction.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Rare Sighting of Small, Critically Endangered Deer Reported in Vietnam," 26 May 2018
First described in 1994, the large-antlered muntjac has a shoulder height of about 26 inches and typically weighs between 66 and 100 pounds.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "Rare Sighting of Small, Critically Endangered Deer Reported in Vietnam," 26 May 2018
WILDLIFE MEDLEY: Authorities seized 350 pounds of meat from wild pig , red muntjac deer, slow loris, and jungle cat, as well as a live Bengal monitor lizard from the Strung Treng market in northeastern Cambodia, says The Phnom Penh Post.

— scott buckel, National Geographic, "Crime Blotter: Pythons, Wolf Carcasses, and More," 14 Feb. 2016
Rows of gray solar panels range over about 25 acres, turning sunlight into electricity, as dog-size muntjac deer hop by.

— stanley reed, New York Times, "Batteries That Make Use of Solar Power, Even in the Dark," 3 Nov. 2016

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