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A.Word.A.Day--spoor

spoor (spoor) noun

The track or trail of an animal, especially a wild animal being hunted.

verb tr., intr.

To track an animal by its trail; to follow a spoor.

[From Afrikaans, from Dutch.]

"I also continue to look for Indian wolves. After eight hectic days of checking spoor and other signs, I spot my first one in Kutch."
Yadvendradev V Jhala; Cattle And Carnivores, National Wildlife (Washington, DC); Apr/May 2002.

"The labyrinthine forest's spoor
lead to the patient Minotaur
Deep in the dark and structured core
the bull-man waits inside the maze
and he who dares explore will raze
the beast of fear behind the door."
Isabella Gardner; The Minotaur; 1955.

This week's theme: words borrowed from African languages.

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