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reindeer definition

rein·deer (rān′dir′)

noun pl. reindeer -·deer′ or Rarereindeers -·deers′

any of a genus (Rangifer) of large deer, including the caribou, with branching antlers in both sexes, found in northern regions: it is domesticated as a beast of burden and as a source of milk, meat, and leather

Etymology: ME reindere < ON hreindȳri < hreinn, reindeer (< IE *erei-, horned animal < base *er-, top of the head, horn > horn, L cerebrum) + dȳr, animal, deer

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

reindeer Synonyms

reindeer

n.

caribou, European reindeer, Rangifer tarandus (Latin); see deer.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

reindeer Usage Examples

Converse of subject

  • pull: Adding to the seasonal air, local schoolchildren sang carols and Father Christmas arrived in a sleigh pulled by real reindeer.

Converse of object

  • nose: Rudolf the red nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose!

Adjective modifier

  • red-nosed: YOUNG BOY: ( singing ) Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose CHILDREN: Like a light bulb!

Modifies a noun

  • herder: Others have driven their own dog sled to the world renowned Ice Hotel or spent a week with reindeer herders in Lapland.
reindeer usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

reindeer quotes

Can Reindeer Fly? The Science of Christmas.

-Highfield, Roger

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, Gave the lustre of midday to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

-Moore, Clement

reindeer quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"reindeer." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/reindeer>

APA Style

reindeer. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/reindeer

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