duiker

noun

dui·​ker ˈdī-kər How to pronounce duiker (audio)
: any of several small African antelopes comprising three genera (Cephalophus, Philantomba, and Sylvicapra)

Examples of duiker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Projects include a coral nursery, an artificial coral reef restoration project, and a sanctuary for two antelope species, the Ader’s duiker and suni antelope. — Laura Begley Bloom, AFAR Media, 25 Feb. 2025 Forest buffalo, blue duikers, sitatungas and even bongos—forest-dwelling antelopes worshipped as spirits by area inhabitants—graze around bais. — Zhengyang Wang, Scientific American, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans, literally, diver, from duik to dive, from Middle Dutch dūken; akin to Old High German tūhhan to dive — more at duck entry 2

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of duiker was in 1777

Rhymes for duiker

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DUI
duiker
duikerbok
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Cite this Entry

“Duiker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/duiker. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

duiker

noun
dui·​ker ˈdī-kər How to pronounce duiker (audio)
: any of several small African antelopes

More from Merriam-Webster on duiker

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about duiker

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