/hahr"teuh beest', hahrt"beest'/ , n. , pl. hartebeests , ( esp. collectively ) hartebeest .
1. any large African antelope of the genus Alcelaphus, having ringed horns that curve backward: some species are endangered.
2. any of several related African antelopes, as certain species of the genus Damaliscus.
[ 1780-90; ]