Antler: meaning, definitions and examples

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antler

[ˈæntlər ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Noun}

animal anatomy

One of the branched horns on the head of an adult male deer, which are made of bone and are grown and cast annually.

Synonyms

horn, prong, tine.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
antler	Use this to refer to the branched horns that are typically found on deer, elk, and similar animals. The deer had majestic antlers that made it stand out in the forest. Every year, the elk shed their antlers and grow new ones.
horn	Suitable for referring to the hard, permanent projections on the heads of animals such as cows, goats, and rhinos. Unlike antlers, horns are not shed. The goat's sharp horns made it intimidating. Rhinoceros are hunted for their horns.
tine	Refers to the pointed branches of an antler or the pointed parts of a tool like a fork or a rake. The deer's antlers had many tines. Be careful not to bend the tines of the rake.
prong	This is typically one of the pointed parts that stick out from something else. It can refer to the pointed parts of forks or the branches of antlers. The prongs of the fork were bent. The antler's prong was broken during the fight.

Examples of usage

The male deer proudly displayed his large antlers.
She admired the intricate design of the antler she found in the forest.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'antler' comes from the Old French 'antelere', which refers to the branching horns of an animal.
It is related to the Latin word 'ante' meaning 'before', perhaps in reference to how they are seen as part of the animal's appearance.
Another lineage comes from the Proto-Germanic 'anantraz', which indicated a 'branch'.

Biology

Antlers are made of bone and are one of the fastest growing tissues in the animal kingdom. They can grow as much as an inch a day in some species.
Unlike horns, which are permanent and made of keratin, antlers are shed and regrown annually, which is unique to the Cervidae family.
Males typically grow larger antlers than females, using them to establish dominance during mating season.

Cultural Significance

In many Indigenous cultures of North America, antlers symbolize strength and resilience, often used in art and spiritual ceremonies.
They have been featured in various folklore, denoting attributes like wisdom and power, serving as hunting trophies in many societies.
Antler motifs are prevalent in ancient artifacts, often representing fertility and connection to nature in various cultures.

Pop Culture

Antlers have appeared in movies and TV shows as symbols of wilderness and often represent fierce beauty, like in the film 'The Revenant'.
The character 'Rick Grimes' from the series 'The Walking Dead' has an iconic antler accessory, linking nature to survival themes.
Antlers are often seen in festive decorations, melding nature with holiday celebrations, such as in Christmas themes.

Ecology

Antlers play a vital role in animal mating rituals and social hierarchies, influencing the dynamics of animal populations.
The shedding of antlers provides nutrients back to the soil, aiding in forest ecosystem health.
Many predators also recognize antlers as indicators of an animal's strength or health, impacting predatory behavior.

Translations

Translations of the word "antler" in other languages:

🇵🇹 galhada

🇮🇳 सींग

🇩🇪 Geweih

🇮🇩 tanduk rusa

🇺🇦 роги

🇵🇱 poroże

🇯🇵 角

🇫🇷 bois

🇪🇸 cuerno

🇹🇷 boynuz

🇰🇷 뿔

🇸🇦 قرن

🇨🇿 paroh

🇸🇰 paroh

🇨🇳 鹿角

🇸🇮 rogovina

🇮🇸 horn

🇰🇿 мүйіз

🇬🇪 რქა

🇦🇿 buynuz

🇲🇽 cuerno

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,160, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
25157 unscheduled
25158 effervescence
25159 coho
25160 antler
25161 flaked
25162 inhumane
25163 zucchini
...