Wiktionary

moose

See also: Moose

EnglishEdit

WOTD – 15 October 2011
 
A moose.

PronunciationEdit

Etymology 1Edit

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”).[1][2]

NounEdit

moose (plural moose or (dated, rare) mooses)

  1. (US, Canada) The largest member of the deer family (Alces americanus, sometimes included in Alces alces), of which the male has very large, palmate antlers.
    We saw a moose at the edge of the woods.
  2. (figuratively, derogatory, colloquial) An ugly person.
Usage notesEdit
  • The usual plural of moose is moose; compare the names of many animals, such as sheep, deer and fish, which are also invariant.
SynonymsEdit
Derived termsEdit
DescendantsEdit
TranslationsEdit
See alsoEdit

Etymology 2Edit

Borrowed from Japanese むすめ (“girl”).

NounEdit

moose

  1. (US, military, slang) An Asian girl taken as a lover.
    • 2005, Rupert Nelson, Like the Rings of a Tree (page 279)
      In military bases in the rear areas it was common for soldiers to have a moose.
    • 2011, Michael Cullen Green, Black Yanks in the Pacific (page 75)
      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.

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2023), “moose”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
  2. ^ “moose”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.

OjibweEdit

NounEdit

moose (plural mooseg)

  1. worm
  2. caterpillar

ScotsEdit

 
moose

EtymologyEdit

From Middle English mous.

PronunciationEdit

NounEdit

moose (plural mice)

  1. mouse
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