hartebeest

[ hahr-tuh-beest, hahrt-beest ]

noun

, plural har·te·beests, (especially collectively) har·te·beest.

1. any large African antelope of the genus Alcelaphus, having ringed horns that curve backward: some species are endangered.
2. any of several related African antelopes, as certain species of the genus Damaliscus.

hartebeest

/ ˈhɑːtˌbiːst; ˈhɑːtɪˌbiːst /

noun

1. either of two large African antelopes, Alcelaphus buselaphus or A. lichtensteini, having an elongated muzzle, lyre-shaped horns, and a fawn-coloured coat
2. any similar and related animal, such as Damaliscus hunteri ( Hunter's hartebeest )

Word History and Origins

Origin of hartebeest¹

From Afrikaans, dating back to 1780–90; hart, beast

Word History and Origins

Origin of hartebeest¹

C18: via Afrikaans from Dutch; see hart , beast

Example Sentences

We met one man who goes out ten minutes from town every other day and kills a kongoni (hartebeest) as food for his dogs.

From Project Gutenberg

The “Hartebeest-house” is a hut of rude construction, the usual materials being reeds and grass with a plastering of mud.

From Project Gutenberg

They were antelopes of course—that species known among Cape colonists as the “hartebeest.”

From Project Gutenberg

He appeared rather to be running harder that they, as if sent forward to push the hartebeest, while the rest saved their wind.

From Project Gutenberg

A branch of the Koranas—those of the valley of the Hartebeest River—deserves particular attention.

From Project Gutenberg