An elk is a type of large deer. Elks have big, flat horns called antlers and are found in Northern Europe, Asia, and North America. Some British speakers use elk to refer to the European and Asian varieties of this animal, and moose to refer to the North American variety.
elk in British English
(ɛlk)
nounWord forms: pluralelks or elk
1.
a large deer, Alces alces, of N Europe and Asia, having large flattened palmate antlers: also occurs in North America, where it is called a moose
2. American elk
3.
a stout pliable waterproof leather made from calfskin or horsehide
Word origin
Old English eolh; related to Old Norse elgr, Old High German elaho, Latin alcēs, Greek alkē, elaphos deer
elk in American English
(ɛlk)
nounWord forms: pluralelk or elks
1.
moose
the common term in Europe
2. US
wapiti
3.
a light, flexible leather of cowhide or calfskin
Word origin
ME, irreg. development (with -k for -ch) < OE eolh, akin to Ger elch, ON elgr < Gmc base *alchis < IE base *el-, stag, hart > Welsh elain, doe, Lith élnis, Gr elaphos, deer