DCHP-1 Online

moose † [< Algonk. "browser, stripper"]

• 1 n. a large ruminant mammal, Alces alces, of the northern forests.

  See also: black moose  elk  gray moose (def. 1)  moose-deer (def. 1)  mooswa(h)  orignal  

  • 1680  (1946)  Mar. Letton to Deliver 4 Dressed Mouse skins to Thos. Garland to make Snowe Shooes.
  • 1717  (1932)  These Indians gave me a Side of Moose flesh, Dry'd, & Another of Deers flesh, & 2 pretty bigg bladders of Marrow fat. . . .
  • 1820  (1823)  The quadrupeds that are hunted for food in this part of the country, are the moose and the reindeer, the former termed by the Crees, mongsoa, or moosoa, the latter attekh.
  • 1964  A few point to the slow resurgence of moose, particularly in the southwest of the province. . . .

• 2 n. the flesh of the moose used as food.

  See also: moose-deer (def. 2)  moose-meat  moose venison  

  • 1784  The Indians say, that they can travel three times as far after a meal of Moose, as after any other animal food.
  • 1954  One could get up and dress now, and light the fire and have breakfast with the day well begun; Faille would probably be along soon and there would be moose for everybody--moose galore.

• 3 n. the hide of the moose, valued as leather.

  See also: leather  moose-skin  

  • 1748  They live in Tents covered with Moose, and Deer-Skins sewed together.
  • 1933  "The moose shoes suit capitally."

• 4 n. Slang See quote.

  • 1925  There is much meandering in the neighbouring woods; and if it is desired to cloak this fondness for the bush in the guise of a rational activity, it is known as the game of "moose."