impala
UK[ɪmˈpɑːlə]US[ɪmˈpælə]
n
A medium-sized African antelope with slender build and long legs, noted for its ability to leap high into the air.
Etymology
The word 'impala' entered English in the early 19th century, borrowed directly from the Zulu language of southern Africa, where 'i-impala' refers to the animal itself. This is a classic example of a loanword for a flora or fauna native to a specific region, where the local name is adopted wholesale into other languages. There is no further decomposition into classical roots; its etymology is contained within the Bantu language family. The word's journey into English reflects colonial exploration and the European encounter with African wildlife, where the indigenous name was preserved for accurate identification.
Analysis
The word 'impala' is a direct loanword from Zulu (i-impala). It is not composed of separable morphemes within the English language.
Examples
A herd of impala grazed peacefully on the savanna before being startled by a lurking cheetah.
The impala is renowned for its spectacular leaps, which it uses to escape predators.
We watched a single male impala, with its characteristic lyre-shaped horns, standing guard at the edge of the woodland.