/dear/ , n. , pl. deer , ( occasionally ) deers .
1. any of several ruminants of the family Cervidae, most of the males of which have solid, deciduous antlers.
2. any of the smaller species of this family, as distinguished from the moose, elk, etc.
[ bef. 900; ME der, OE deor beast; akin to Goth dius beast, OHG tior ]