what is an oryx
(Ã´râ²Ä­ks, Årâ²-) n. pl. oryx or oÂ·ryxÂ·es. Any of several African and Arabian antelopes of the genus Oryx, including the gemsbok, having black or brown markings on the face and long, straight or slightly curved horns. [Latin, from Greek orux, pickaxe, gazelle (from its sharp horns), perhaps from orussein, to dig.]