gnu

[ noo, nyoo ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural gnus, (especially collectively) gnu.

either of two stocky, oxlike antelopes of the genus Connochaetes, the silver-gray, white-bearded C. taurinus of the eastern African plain and the black, white-tailed C. gnou of central South Africa: recently near extinction, the South African gnu is now protected.

gnu

/ nuː /

either of two sturdy antelopes, Connochaetes taurinus ( brindled gnu ) or the much rarer C. gnou ( white-tailed gnu ), inhabiting the savannas of Africa, having an oxlike head and a long tufted tail Also calledwildebeest

Origin of gnu¹

1770–80; < Khoikhoi, first recorded as t’gnu; probably to be identified with ǂnû black, as applying originally to the black wildebeest

Origin of gnu¹

C18: from Xhosa nqu

The protesters might instead have been using signs with a kangaroo or an elephant or a gnu.

For instance, there's the animal that has been called the Gnu.

I shot a gnu, but wandered in coming back to the party, and did not find them till it was getting dark.

I must here include one of the most curious animals in India, a creature resembling at first sight the African gnu.

Among the antelope family the gnu, or horned horse, is perhaps the most curious specimen.

At Sèvres I saw two pieces of china; on one of them was a gnu, on the other a zebra.

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