springbok
[spring-bok]
- a gazelle, Antidorcas marsupialis, of southern Africa, noted for its habit of springing into the air when alarmed.
Show More
Origin of springbok
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for springbok
Historical Examples
It is nearly thirty feet wide, but that is nothing to a springbok.
Allan's WifeH. Rider Haggard
We ourselves, however, preferred the more delicate meat of the springbok.
Adventures in AfricaW.H.G. Kingston
Springbok, why, there must be thousands and thousands of them.
The Mission; or Scenes in AfricaCaptain Frederick Marryat
The victims caught in these traps were chiefly eland, hartebeeste, and springbok.
BasutolandMinnie Martin
Some of these, no doubt, referred to the Springbok speculation.
A Mysterious DisappearanceGordon Holmes
springbok
less commonly springbuck
- an antelope, Antidorcas marsupialis, of semidesert regions of southern Africa, which moves in leaps exposing a patch of white erectile hairs on the rump that are usually covered by a fold of skin
Show More
Word Origin
C18: from Afrikaans, from Dutch springen to spring + bok goat, buck 1
Springbok
- a person who has represented South Africa at rugby union
Show More
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
Word Origin and History for springbok
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper