gazelle
n. C1 Advanced US //ɡəˈzɛɫ// UK //ɡəzˈɛl// gazelle
n. a small, fast animal with long legs and a slender body that lives in Africa. It is famous for its ability to run very quickly to escape predators.
n. a small, slender antelope native to Africa, characterized by its speed and grace. Often used metaphorically to describe a person who is very attractive or elegant.
The gazelle ran across the open field to escape the lion.
During the safari, we watched a herd of gazelles leap over the tall grass as they moved toward the waterhole.
The gazelle's survival depends on its incredible acceleration, which allows it to outpace even the most persistent of its natural predators on the African plains.
Unadapted borrowing from Middle French gazelle, from Old French gazel, from Arabic غَزَال (ḡazāl).