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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Alces machlis

moose \moose\ (m[=oo]s), n. [A native name; Knisteneaux mouswah; Algonquin monse. Mackenzie.]

  1. (Zo["o]l.) A large cervine mammal ( Alces alces syn. Alces machlis, syn Alces Americanus), native of the Northern United States and Canada. The adult male is about as large as a horse, and has very large, palmate antlers. It closely resembles the European elk, and by many zo["o]logists is considered the same species. See Elk.

  2. A member of the Progressive Party; a Bull Moose.

    2. [capitalized] A member of the fraternal organization named Loyal Order of Moose.

    Moose bird (Zo["o]l.), the Canada jayor whisky jack. See Whisky jack.

    Moose deer. Same as Moose.

    Moose yard (Zo["o]l.), a locality where moose, in winter, herd together in a forest to feed and for mutual protection.

Alces machlis

elk \elk\ ([e^]lk), n. [Icel. elgr; akin to Sw. elg, AS. eolh, OHG. elaho, MHG. elch, cf. L. alces; perh. akin to E. eland.] (Zo["o]l.) A large deer, of several species. The European elk Alces alces (formerly Alces machlis or Cervus alces) is closely allied to the American moose. The American elk, or wapiti ( Cervus Canadensis) the largest member of the deer family, has large, spreading antlers and is closely related to the European stag. See Moose, and Wapiti.

Irish elk (Paleon.), a large, extinct, Quaternary deer ( Cervus giganteus) with widely spreading antlers. Its remains have been found beneath the peat of swamps in Ireland and England. See Illustration in Appendix; also Illustration of Antler.

Cape elk (Zo["o]l.), the eland.