ˈwäpəd.ē, -ətē, -i also ˈwȯp- noun
( plural wapiti or wapitis )
Etymology: of Algonquian origin; akin to Cree wapitew white, whitish, Shawnee wapiti; from its white rump and tail
1. : a North American deer ( Cervus canadensis and related forms) that is similar to the European red deer but considerably larger, has antlers with a long heavy beam with brow antler, bay antler, royal antler, surroyal tine, and forked terminal tines but no palmations or cuplike crown, a light reddish buff body becoming a dark brown on the head and limbs and blackish on the belly, and a short tail and large rump patch of buffy white, and that is nearly extinct over most of the U.S. — called also elk
2. : an eastern Asiatic red deer ( Cervus elaphus xanthopygus ) related to the wapiti — called also Altai wapiti