reindeer (2008-12-28)

Part of Speech: noun

Pronunciation: ['reyn-deer]

Definition: A deer (Rangifer tarandus) of the northern regions of Eurasia and North America notable for the large, branched antlers found on both sexes.

Usage: This is a word that will come in handy every time you visit Lapland where the Saami people make their living by herding and breeding reindeer for their milk and other products. In 1809 Washington Irving was still writing about the arrival of Saint Nicholas on horseback—his traditional means of transportation. Reindeer were added by Clement Moore in his 1823 book, "A Visit from Saint Nicholas,' now more commonly called by the its first line, 'The Night Before Christmas.'

Suggested Usage: The plural is the same as the singular, "reindeer," as is the case with "deer" itself. So while Rudolph is one reindeer, eight other reindeer help him pull Santa Claus's sleigh.

Etymology: Today's word was imported from Old Norse hreindýri from hreinn "reindeer," the more usual name for the animal + dýr "deer." Also Swedish "rendjur" or just "ren," Da. rensdyr, Dutch "rendier," German "Rentier." The Middle English word "deer," referred to all animals, as does its German cousin Tier "animal." Thus when Shakespeare speaks of, "mice and rats, and such small deer" for Edgar's diet in 'King Lear', he is apparently using the old meaning rather than the new, narrower one. Old Norwegian and Old Icelandic hreinn "reindeer" comes from the same PIE root as "horn."