muntjac

or munt·jak

[ muhnt-jak ]

/ ˈmʌnt dʒæk /

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noun

any of various small Asian deer of the genus Muntiacus, noted for its barking call, especially M. muntjac, of South and Southeast Asia, and M. reevesi, native to China and introduced elsewhere, including England, Belgium, and Japan: the male muntjac has a pair of sharp, tusklike canines, and its short, sharp antlers grow from bony pedicles.

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Also called barking deer.

Compare tufted deer.

Origin of muntjac

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Dutch or directly from Sundanese mənyčək “a kind of chevrotain”; the reason for subsequent application to this deer is uncertain

Words nearby muntjac

Münsterberg, munt, munted, munter, muntin, muntjac, muntrie, Müntzer, Muntz metal, muon, muon-catalysed fusion

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use muntjac in a sentence

Before we reached them Harry appeared, smiling all over, and dragging a muntjac (Muntiacus) by the fore legs.
Camps and Trails in China|Roy Chapman Andrews and Yvette Borup Andrews
We hoped that this muntjac was going to prove a "good joss," but instead a disappointing day was in store for us.
Camps and Trails in China|Roy Chapman Andrews and Yvette Borup Andrews
The men assured us that there were sambur, serow, and muntjac in the neighborhood, and they agreed to hunt.
Camps and Trails in China|Roy Chapman Andrews and Yvette Borup Andrews
One day they brought in a fine muntjac buck which had been killed with their crossbows and poisoned darts.
Camps and Trails in China|Roy Chapman Andrews and Yvette Borup Andrews

Heller shot three muntjac at Hui-yao, besides the doe which he killed on the first day.
Camps and Trails in China|Roy Chapman Andrews and Yvette Borup Andrews

British Dictionary definitions for muntjac

muntjac

muntjak

/ (ˈmʌntˌdʒæk) /

noun

any small Asian deer of the genus Muntiacus, typically having a chestnut-brown coat, small antlers, and a barklike cryAlso called: barking deer

Word Origin for muntjac

C18: probably changed from Javanese mindjangan deer

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012