Moose Meaning
/muːs/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe largest member of the deer family (Alces americanus, sometimes included in Alces alces), of which the male has very large, palmate antlers.
nounAny of the extinct moose-like deer of the genera Cervalces and Libralces.
Sentence Examples
Did you see a sick moose?
Tom had never seen a moose until he moved to Alaska.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The large ____ with giant antlers walked slowly through the deep snow.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
While we were hiking through the dense Canadian forest, we were lucky enough to see a large ____ grazing near the edge of a quiet lake.
Word Origin & History
Earlier mus, moos, from an Eastern Algonquian language name for the animal, such as Massachusett moos, mws, Narragansett moos or Penobscot mos (cognate to Abenaki moz), from Proto-Algonquian *mo·swa (“it strips”), referring to how a moose strips tree bark when feeding: compare Massachusett moos-u (“he strips, cuts smooth”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Europe’s giant beavers lived at the same time as the first moose, Libralces gallicus."
— 2018, Tim Flannery, Europe: A Natural History, page 152:
"In military bases in the rear areas it was common for soldiers to have a moose."
— 2005, Rupert Nelson, Like the Rings of a Tree, page 279:
"Even the lowest ranked serviceman, because of his salary, benefits, and status as an American occupationaire, could afford to “maintain a ‘Moose’ and still take care of his other obligations.”"
— 2011, Michael Cullen Green, Black Yanks in the Pacific, page 75:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The large ____ with giant antlers walked slowly through the deep snow.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
While we were hiking through the dense Canadian forest, we were lucky enough to see a large ____ grazing near the edge of a quiet lake.