The Collaborative International Dictionary
Reindeer \Rein"deer`\ (r?n"d?r), n. [Icel. hreinn reindeer + E. deer. Icel. hreinn is of Lapp or Finnish origin; cf. Lappish reino pasturage.] [Formerly written also raindeer, and ranedeer.] (Zool.) Any ruminant of the genus Rangifer, of the Deer family, found in the colder parts of both the Eastern and Western hemispheres, and having long irregularly branched antlers, with the brow tines palmate.
Note: The common European species ( Rangifer tarandus) is domesticated in Lapland. The woodland reindeer or caribou ( Rangifer caribou) is found in Canada and Maine (see Caribou.) The Barren Ground reindeer or caribou ( Rangifer Gr[oe]nlandicus), of smaller size, is found on the shores of the Arctic Ocean, in both hemispheries.
Reindeer moss (Bot.), a gray branching lichen ( Cladonia rangiferina) which forms extensive patches on the ground in arctic and even in north temperature regions. It is the principal food of the Lapland reindeer in winter.
Reindeer period (Geol.), a name sometimes given to a part of the Paleolithic era when the reindeer was common over Central Europe.
Wiktionary
n. A lichen, (taxlink Cladonia rangiferina species noshow=1), that grows in areas of alpine tundra.
WordNet
n. an erect grayish branching lichen of Arctic and even some north temperate regions constituting the chief food for reindeer and caribou and sometimes being eaten by humans [syn: reindeer lichen, arctic moss, Cladonia rangiferina]
Usage examples of "reindeer moss".
The end of the portage is on the high rolling plateau of the interior, timbered by a sparse and stunted second growth of spruce, covered everywhere with white reindeer moss, and strewn with lakes innumerable.
One clan's specialty was a combination of onions, mushrooms, and the round green legumes of milk vetch, seasoned with a secret combination of herbs and thickened with dried reindeer moss.
I can remember very clearly how we experimented with eating boiled lichen and reindeer moss to supplement our diet.
Joe went down to the bank to catch fish for supper, while Chet spread reindeer moss, which he covered with balsam tips for a sleeping area.