Cervus alces

elk elk ([e^]lk), n. [Icel. elgr; akin to Sw. elg, AS. eolh, OHG. elaho, MHG. elch, cf. L. alces; perh. akin to E. eland.] (Zo["o]l.) A large deer, of several species. The European elk {Alces alces} (formerly {Alces machlis} or {Cervus alces}) is closely allied to the American moose. The American elk, or wapiti ({Cervus Canadensis}) the largest member of the deer family, has large, spreading antlers and is closely related to the European stag. See {Moose}, and {Wapiti}. [1913 Webster +PJC]

{Irish elk} (Paleon.), a large, extinct, Quaternary deer ({Cervus giganteus}) with widely spreading antlers. Its remains have been found beneath the peat of swamps in Ireland and England. See Illustration in Appendix; also Illustration of {Antler}.

{Cape elk} (Zo["o]l.), the eland.