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Glite Dictionary
springbuck

springbuck

8.6
A medium-sized African antelope that jumps high while running
  • noun
  • /ˈsprɪŋˌbʌk/
  • South African
translation icon : springbok
  • The springbuck is famous for its high, playful jumps called pronking.

Examples

  • The springbuck leaped gracefully across the grassy plain.

  • During our safari, we spotted a herd of springbuck near the river.

  • I saw a springbuck at the wildlife reserve.

  • The springbucks are known for their agility.

  • During our safari, we spotted a herd of springbuck near the river.

  • The springbuck is famous for its high, playful jumps called pronking.

  • The springbuck leaped gracefully across the grassy plain.

Synonyms

springbok
vsspringbuck
  • South African
1 8.2

A small antelope from southern Africa that jumps high

has identical meaning but is the alternative written form for the same animal
Antidorcas marsupialis
vsspringbuck
  • South African
9.9

A small South African gazelle called the springbok that jumps high when it runs

is the everyday common name rather than the formal scientific label

Surface Forms

springbuck singular
springbucks plural

Morphology

springbuck = spring + buck (transparent) = spring + buck

The compound is literally composed of two common English nouns ('spring' + 'buck'), and the animal's name refers to a buck known for leaping.

Etymology

Springbuck comes from the Afrikaans word springbok, which is made of spring ('to jump') and bok ('antelope' or 'goat'). So the name points to the animal's famous high, playful jumps, and you can remember it by thinking of a 'jumping' buck.