moose
[moos]
- a large, long-headed mammal, Alces alces, of the deer family, having circumpolar distribution in the Northern Hemisphere, the male of which has enormous palmate antlers.
- (initial capital letter) a member of a fraternal and benevolent organization (Loyal Order of Moose).
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Origin of moose
1595–1605, Americanism; < Eastern Abenaki mos, reinforced by cognates in other Algonquian languages, all < Proto-Algonquian *mo˙swa
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for moose
Contemporary Examples
Forgive my candor, though such is my wont, but much like that moose on a spit, Bernie is dead.
You could hold classes in the Moose Lodge or at the Y. Classes would be large.
Princess Anne, on a visit to Canada, was given a painting by a contemporary artist - of the Princess riding a moose.
The Social Network writer and West Wing creator used to dress up as a moose to hand out pamphlets in a mall.
The Truth About the Moose He claims Chuck Heath was going to take Molly's tag And shoot a moose.
Historical Examples
I could feel the hairy shoulder of the moose and across his antlers Nukéwis calling me.
The Trail BookMary Austin
The Onondaga let his pipe go out while he explained the winter habits of moose.
The Trail BookMary Austin
The cricket, however, did not listen to the moose because crickets do whatever they want.
FreeChildrenStories.com CollectionDaniel Errico
When the moose cow reached this fence, she hardly noticed it.
The House in the WaterCharles G. D. Roberts
Some Indian hunters once made their way north, to hunt for moose.
Stories the Iroquois Tell Their ChildrenMabel Powers
moose
- a large North American deer, Alces alces, having large flattened palmate antlers: also occurs in Europe and Asia where it is called an elk
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Word Origin
C17: from Algonquian; related to Narraganset moos, from moosu he strips, alluding to the moose's habit of stripping trees
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 moose
n.
1610s, from an Algonquian language, probably Narragansett moos or Abenaki moz (cf. Penobscot muns, Ojibwa mooz, Unami Delaware /mo:s/), said by early sources to be from moosu "he strips off," in reference to the animals' stripping bark for food.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper