# deer

Pronunciation: say "DEER" US /dɪɹ/, UK /dɪə/

## Noun

1. A hoofed, plant-eating animal of the family Cervidae, the males of which usually grow antlers; in everyday use often the smaller kinds rather than moose or elk.
   - Simple: A fast wild animal with hooves and thin legs. The males usually have antlers.
   - _A deer slipped quietly between the trees at dusk._
   - _Several deer crossed the highway just before sunrise._
2. The meat of a deer, obtained through hunting or from specialized deer farms; venison.
   - Simple: The meat from a deer, eaten as food and also called venison.
   - _My uncle served deer at the barbecue, and most guests thought it was beef._
   - _Slow-roasted deer pairs well with juniper and red wine._

## Noun

3. Any animal, especially a four-footed mammal rather than a bird, fish, or other creature. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: Any living creature, especially a four-legged animal rather than a bird or fish.

## Origin

Old English dēor ("animal") became Middle English der or deer ("animal, deer"). It goes back through Proto-Germanic *deuzą to a Proto-Indo-European word *dʰewsóm ("living thing"), related to *dʰéws ("breath"). Dutch dier, German Tier, and Swedish djur, all meaning "animal," are cognates.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/deer (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).