kudu
UK[ˈkuːduː]US[ˈkuːduː]
n
A large African antelope with long spiral horns and a greyish or brownish coat.
Etymology
The word 'kudu' entered English in the late 18th century from Afrikaans 'koedoe', which itself was borrowed from the isiXhosa word 'iqudu'. It is a classic example of a loanword where the name of a distinct local fauna is adopted directly into other languages without morphological analysis. The journey from its Nguni language origins through colonial Afrikaans into global English reflects the history of European exploration and settlement in Southern Africa. The term carries no inherent meaning in English beyond its direct reference to the antelope, showcasing how languages adopt and naturalize foreign words for new concepts.
Analysis
The word 'kudu' is a simplex loanword from the Southern African language isiXhosa, via Afrikaans. The element 'kudu' does not have separable morphemes within English; it functions as a single, unanalyzable lexical unit naming the animal.
Examples
We spotted a magnificent male kudu with impressive spiral horns near the waterhole.
The kudu is known for its exceptional leaping ability and shy demeanor.
Trophy hunting of the greater kudu is regulated in several African countries.