Urials

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A wild sheep species native to Central and South Asia characterized by its reddish-brown coat and large curved horns found primarily in mountainous regions
2. A type of wild ovine mammal distinguished by stout bodies and impressive spiraled horns living in rugged terrains commonly in countries like Iran and Afghanistan
3. A mammal species belonging to the wild sheep group, notable for their thick fur, strong build, and distinctive horn shape adapted to rocky habitats in parts of Asia

Etymology: "Urials" is the plural of "urial", a wild sheep of the mountains of Central and South Asia. The name arrived in English from Pothohari Punjabi, a dialect spoken in the Potwar Plateau of northern Pakistan, where the animal was called "huṛiāl". That word goes back to Sanskrit "huḍa", a term that has been used for the same kind of sheep for a very long time, which means the English name carries a South Asian lineage that stretches back far beyond the British interest in the animal's horns.

Synonyms: wild sheep