wapiti Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun large North American deer with large much-branched antlers in the male
    elk; Cervus elaphus canadensis; American elk.
  2. noun common deer of temperate Europe and Asia
    red deer; elk; Cervus elaphus; American elk.

WordNet


Wap"i*ti noun
Etymology
Probably the Iroquois name. Bartlett.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) The American elk (Cervus Canadensis). It is closely related to the European red deer, which it somewhat exceeds in size. ✍ By some writers it is thought to be a variety of the red deer, but it is considered a distinct species by others. It is noted for the large, branching antlers of the male.

Webster 1913