1.
[syn: reindeer moss, reindeer lichen, arctic moss, Cladonia rangiferina]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Reindeer \Rein"deer`\ (r[=a]n"d[=e]r), n. [Icel. hreinn reindeer
+ E. deer. Icel. hreinn is of Lapp or Finnish origin; cf.
Lappish reino pasturage.] [Formerly written also raindeer,
and ranedeer.] (Zool.)
Any ruminant of the genus Rangifer, of the Deer family,
found in the colder parts of both the Eastern and Western
hemispheres, and having long irregularly branched antlers,
with the brow tines palmate.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The common European species (Rangifer tarandus) is
domesticated in Lapland. The woodland reindeer or
caribou (Rangifer caribou) is found in Canada and
Maine (see Caribou.) The Barren Ground reindeer or
caribou (Rangifer Groenlandicus), of smaller size, is
found on the shores of the Arctic Ocean, in both
hemispheries.
[1913 Webster]
Reindeer moss (Bot.), a gray branching lichen (Cladonia
rangiferina) which forms extensive patches on the ground
in arctic and even in north temperature regions. It is the
principal food of the Lapland reindeer in winter.
Reindeer period (Geol.), a name sometimes given to a part
of the Paleolithic era when the reindeer was common over
Central Europe.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
reindeer moss
n 1: an erect greyish branching lichen of Arctic and even some
north temperate regions constituting the chief food for
reindeer and caribou and sometimes being eaten by humans
[syn: reindeer moss, reindeer lichen, arctic moss,
Cladonia rangiferina]