gnu
[noo, nyoo]
- 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.
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Origin of gnu
1770–80; < Khoikhoi, first recorded as t’gnu; probably to be identified with ǂnû black, as applying orig. to the black wildebeest
Also called wildebeest.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for gnus
Historical Examples
I only hoped that the gnus had led them a long chase, and that they were far away from me.
In the Wilds of AfricaW.H.G. Kingston
Into this gap the Germans placed a number of gnus—six or eight.
Gnus and zebras contemplate the strange intruder with an air of surprise.
The Desert WorldArthur Mangin
The Gnus, Connochaetes, are familiar owing to their curious aspect.
The Cambridge Natural History, Vol X., MammaliaFrank Evers Beddard
It was evident that they had been following the gnus, who had only at that instant begun to suspect their presence.
In the Wilds of AfricaW.H.G. Kingston
gnu
- 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 tailAlso called: wildebeest
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Word Origin
C18: from Xhosa nqu
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for gnus
gnu
n.
1777, gnoo, from Dutch gnoe, used by German traveler Georg Forster (1754-1794) to render Hottentot i-ngu "wildebeest," from Southern Bushman !nu: (in which ! and : represent clicks).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper