Blackbuck

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of antelope indigenous to the Indian region, known for its striking black and white fur and remarkable leaping ability in grasslands
2. A species of antelope native to India that is characterized by its distinctive black and white coloration along with impressive jumping capabilities in open habitats
3. A grazing antelope found primarily in India, recognized for its unique coloration and exceptional agility when navigating grassland environments

Etymology: The blackbuck is named for its coat, but "buck" here is the older sense of a male deer or antelope, not the American dollar. "Buck" goes back to Old English "bucca," used for the male of certain animals, and it has been applied to male deer, goats, hares and rabbits for centuries. Pairing it with "black" describes the dark coloration of the male, which is the animal's most striking feature: adult males have nearly black upper bodies set against a white underside and white rings around the eyes, while females and young are fawn-coloured. The compound is a plain descriptive one, built from two ordinary English words rather than a borrowed or coined term. Its meaning depends on "buck" keeping its old sense of a male animal, so the name reads as "black buck" in the literal way: a male antelope that is black.