gemsbok

American  

[gemz-bok] / ˈgɛmzˌbɒk /

Also gemsbuck

noun

gemsboks, plural gemsbok plural

1. a large antelope, Oryx gazella, the largest of the oryxes, found in arid regions of southern Africa, including the Kalahari Desert, having a long black tail and conspicuous black striping on the face and from the chin to the front legs and along each lower flank to the rear legs: despite being widely hunted for their nearly straight horns, which are about 33 inches (84 centimeters) long on the males and slightly longer on the females, gemsbok have a conservation status of least concern.

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gemsbok British  

/ ˈɡɛmzˌbʌk /

noun

1. another word for oryx

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• gemsbok
  plural
• gemsboks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of gemsbok

First recorded in 1770–80; from Afrikaans, from German Gemsbock “chamois buck, male chamois”; see origin at gems, buck ¹

Example Sentences

The authors cite a hypothetical hunt of a gemsbok, a large antelope from southern Africa.

From Science Magazine • May 12, 2024

The Kgalagadi transfrontier park, which spans the border with South Africa, is an immense 3 6,000 sq km wilderness, home to gemsbok desert antelope, black-maned Kalahari lions and pygmy falcons.

From The Guardian • Dec. 2, 2015

Ahead of her, a pair of African gemsbok antelope are running.

From Time Magazine Archive

He had succeeded in bagging two gemsbok to the westward of Lopepe, and, after breakfast, was riding out in search of hartebeest.

From From Veldt Camp Fires by Bryden, H.A.

Do you recollect what Bremen said to us, that the lion had seized the gemsbok, and that now the lion would shut his eyes, and that he would shoot him?”

From The Mission; or Scenes in Africa by Marryat, Frederick