Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Wapiti \Wap"i*ti\, n. [Probably the Iroquois name. Bartlett.]
   (Zo["o]l.)
   The American elk ({Cervus Canadensis}). It is closely related
   to the European red deer, which it somewhat exceeds in size.

   Note: By some writers it is thought to be a variety of the
         red deer, but it is considered a distinct species by
         others. It is noted for the large, branching antlers of
         the male.

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.

Source : WordNet®

Cervus canadensis
     n : large North American deer with large much-branched antlers
         [syn: {wapiti}, {American elk}]