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gnu goat

gnu goat

9.9
A large goat-like animal that lives on rocky slopes in the eastern Himalayas
  • noun
  • Indian
translation icon : takin
  • The gnu goat is well adapted to the rocky slopes of the eastern Himalayas.

Examples

  • Researchers observed several gnu goats grazing at high altitudes during their expedition.

  • A mature gnu goat can weigh over 200 kilograms.

  • The gnu goat is native to the Himalayas.

  • Many gnu goats can be seen grazing in the mountains.

  • Researchers observed several gnu goats grazing at high altitudes during their expedition.

  • A mature gnu goat can weigh over 200 kilograms.

  • The gnu goat is well adapted to the rocky slopes of the eastern Himalayas.

Synonyms

takin
vsgnu goat
  • Indian
3 9.9

A large goat-like animal with thick shaggy fur and curved horns from the eastern Himalayas

focuses only on size and location without mentioning coat or horns
Budorcas taxicolor
vsgnu goat
  • Specialized
9.9

A large, heavy goatlike animal that lives in the eastern Himalayan mountains

is the common English name rather than the Latin species name

Surface Forms

gnu goat singular
gnu goats plural

Morphology

gnu + goat

The noun-noun composition 'gnu goat' is directly interpretable as a goat-like animal where 'gnu' modifies 'goat'; a B1 learner who knows 'gnu' (a type of animal) and 'goat' can infer a goat-related or goat-antelope meaning. This follows regular compounding patterns and is therefore compositional and transparent, although in practice 'gnu' is low-frequency so learners may not know that constituent.

Etymology

The name gnu goat may come from the deep 'gnu' sound the animal makes, with the sound word gnu joined to goat to make a simple name. That's why gnu goat now means a large, heavy goat-antelope found high in the eastern Himalayas.