▪ I. eland
(ˈiːlənd)
[a. Du. eland elk.
The Du. word is a. Ger. elend (elentier), believed to be ad. Lith. élnis elk. See ellan, ellend, which are earlier adoptions of the word from sources other than Du.]
The largest member (Taurotragus oryx) of the Antelope tribe, belonging to S. Africa, E. Africa (T. derbianus, giant eland) W. Africa and the Sudan, standing five feet high at the shoulders, of a heavy build, for the most part very fat, and much prized for its flesh. Also attrib.
| 1786 tr. Sparrman's Voy. Cape G. Hope II. 204 Eland..is a name given by the colonists to a species of gazel. 1834 Penny Cycl. II. 89/1 Elands..are now rarely met with except in the most distant and retired parts of the colony [Cape Colony]. 1857 Livingstone Trav. ii. 43 The eland..would grace the parks of our nobility more than deer. 1866 ― Jrnl. ix. (1873) I. 227 A piece of eland meat. |
▪ II. eland
obs. var. of island.