Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Elk \Elk\, n. [Icel. elgr; akin to Sw. elg, AS. eolh, OHG.
   elaho, MHG. elch, cf. L. alces; perh. akin to E. eland.]
   (Zo["o]l.)
   A large deer, of several species. The European elk ({Alces
   machlis} or {Cervus alces}) is closely allied to the American
   moose. The American elk, or wapiti ({Cervus Canadensis}), is
   closely related to the European stag. See {Moose}, and
   {Wapiti}.

   {Irish elk} (Paleon.), a large, extinct, Quaternary deer
      ({Cervus giganteus}) with widely spreading antlers. Its
      remains have been found beneath the peat of swamps in
      Ireland and England. See Illustration in Appendix; also
      Illustration of {Antler}.

   {Cape elk} (Zo["o]l.), the eland.