ANTLER Meaning and
Definition
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Antlers are defined as solid bony structures that grow and are shed annually by the males of certain deer species, symbolizing their virility and dominance during the mating season. These distinctive appendages are typically found on the heads of male deer, elk, moose, and related species, functioning primarily as weapons for intra-species competition and sparring.
Characterized by their branching structure, antlers are composed of bone and are made up of two main components - the pedicle and the tine. The pedicle is the base of the antler, which connects it to the skull, while the tine refers to the individual branches and points that extend from the main structure. Antlers grow from the pedicle and initially develop as a soft tissue covered by a layer of skin called velvet, which supplies nutrients and blood vessels to support their growth.
As the mating season approaches, male deer produce additional testosterone hormone levels, triggering the hardening of their antlers, the shedding of the velvet, and ultimately their use in aggressive displays and battles for dominance. After the breeding season concludes, the antlers are shed and a new set begins to grow in their place.
Antlers serve various functions beyond weaponry, such as visual displays to attract mates, as well as indicators of age, health, and social status within the deer population. Their impressive size and branching patterns have led to the use of antlers in decorative and artistic applications, making them a symbol of nature's beauty and adaptation.
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A branch of a stag's horn.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Other Common Misspellings for ANTLER
Etymology of ANTLER
The word "antler" comes from the Old English word "an(t)or", which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "anthuraz". This word gave rise to various Germanic forms such as "antaraz" in Old High German and "andaras" in Old Norse. The term ultimately traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*and-", meaning "breath, spirit". This root was used to describe the breath-like branching structure of antlers. The word "antler" has been in use since the early medieval period to refer to the bony, branching structures that grow on the heads of certain species of deer.
Similar spelling words for ANTLER
- ANTLR,
- Crown-antler,
- wendler,
- anatolia,
- Indweller,
- Undulary,
- Antal,
- antley,
- anatolian,
- antlia,
- Brow-antler,
- anntaylor,
- andler,
- antle,
- antlered,
- undular,
- Bez-antler,
- Bes-antler,
- entailer,
- Bay-antler,
- antler-like,
- wintler,
- windler,
- endler.
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