Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural har·te·beests, (especially collectively) har·te·beest.
- any large African antelope of the genus Alcelaphus, having ringed horns that curve backward: some species are endangered.
- any of several related African antelopes, as certain species of the genus Damaliscus.
noun
- either of two large African antelopes, Alcelaphus buselaphus or A. lichtensteini, having an elongated muzzle, lyre-shaped horns, and a fawn-coloured coat
- any similar and related animal, such as Damaliscus hunteri (Hunter’s hartebeest)
1786, from Afrikaans, from Dutch hertebeest “antelope,” from hert “hart” (see hart) + beest “beast, ox” (in S.African Dutch “steer, cattle”), from Middle Dutch beeste, from Old French beste “beast” (see beast).