okapi

A ruminant (Okapia johnstoni) found in the rainforests of the Congo, related to the giraffe but with a much shorter neck, a reddish-brown coat, and zebra-like stripes on the hindquarters.

Noun

  1. A ruminant (Okapia johnstoni) found in the rainforests of the Congo, related to the giraffe but with a much shorter neck, a reddish-brown coat, and zebra-like stripes on the hindquarters.
    • [page 498, column 1] [I]n leading them [African Pygmies] back to the forests where they dwelt, I obtained much information from them on the subject of the horse-like animal which they called the "Okapi." […] [page 499,...
    • Personally I esteem it a more fascinating and a more important task to investigate the relations of the Okapi with the Giraffe on the one hand, and its fossil relatives on the other. - 1902 November 18, C[harles]...
    • [O]ne day I quite modestly gave the dimensions of an okapi I had shot in the Lincolnshire fens. The Major turned a beautiful Tyrian scarlet (I remember thinking at the time that I should like my bathroom hung in that...

    Synonyms: Congolese giraffe forest giraffe zebra giraffe

Origin

Borrowed from Mvuba okapi.

Forms

okapi okapis

Hypernyms

giraffid