reindeer

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Arctic deer with large antlers in both sexes

   Called `reindeer' in Eurasia and `caribou' in North America.

2. 2
   noun

   Any Arctic and subarctic-dwelling deer of the species Rangifer tarandus, with a number of subspecies.

   Santa Claus' sleigh is supposedly pulled by nine reindeer.

3. 3
   noun

   Any species, subspecies, ecotype, or other scientific grouping of such animals.

4. 4
   verb

   To herd or farm reindeer

From Middle English reyndere, reynder, rayne-dere, from Old Norse hreindýri (“reindeer”), from hreinn (“reindeer”) + dýr (“animal”). Compare Dutch rendier (“reindeer”), German Rentier (“reindeer”), Swedish rendjur (“reindeer”), Danish rensdyr (“reindeer”) and French renne (“reindeer”). Related also to displaced Old English hrān (“reindeer”). Unrelated to rein.

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