Père David's deer

noun

Elaphurus davidianus, a species of deer known only in captivity, which prefers marshland and is believed to be native to the subtropics of China.

Meanings

nounPère David's deer (plural Père David's deers or Père David's deer)

plural Père David's deers

  1. Elaphurus davidianus, a species of deer known only in captivity, which prefers marshland and is believed to be native to the subtropics of China.

Origin

After Father Armand David (1826–1900), Catholic priest, zoologist and botanist.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 麋鹿, 大衛神父鹿 /大卫神父鹿
  • 麋鹿 (mílù)species of deer known only in captivity
  • 大衛神父鹿 /大卫神父鹿 (dàwèishénfù lù)species of deer known only in captivity
  • 四不像鹿 (sìbùxiàng lù)species of deer known only in captivity
Finnish milu
  • miluspecies of deer known only in captivity
German Davidshirsch
  • Davidshirschspecies of deer known only in captivity
Russian оле́нь Дави́да, милу́
  • оле́нь Дави́да (olénʹ Davída)species of deer known only in captivity
  • милу́ (milú)species of deer known only in captivity
Cite this entry
APA

Père David's deer. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/P%C3%A8re%20David's%20deer

MLA

“Père David's deer.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/P%C3%A8re%20David's%20deer. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Père David's deer,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/P%C3%A8re%20David's%20deer.

Source: Père David's deer on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.