Etymology Dictionary

ANTELOPE,  an animal.  (Gk.)   Used by Spenser, F. Q. i. 6. 26.   Said to be corrupted from Gk. ἀνθαλοπ-, the stem of ἀνθάλωψ (gen. ἀνθάλορος), used by Eustathius (flor. circa 1160), Hexaëm., p. 36 (Webseter's Dict.).   'The word Dorcas, the Gk. and Roman name of the gazelle, is derived from the verb δέρκομαι, to see.   The common English word antelope is a corrupt form of the name ἄνθολοψ (sic), employed by Eustathius to designate an animal of this genus, and literally signifying bright eyes' [rather, bright-eyed]; Eng. Cyclop. art. Antilopeæ.   If this be right, the derivation is from Gk. ἀνθεῖν, to sprout, blossom, also to shine (cf. ἄνθοβάφος, a dyer in bright colours); and ὤψ, gen. ὠπός, the eye, which from ✔ΟΠ, to see, Aryan ✔AK, to see; Fick, i. 4.   See Anther. [†]

ADDENDA

Spelt anteloppe in 1506, Reliquiæ Antiquæ, i. 116; antlop in 1486, Book of St. Albans, pt. ii. fol. c 8, back; antelop, A.D. 1432, in Liber Albus, iii. 459.   The E. spelling is probably due to O. French, for Godefroy gives the O.F. antelop as well as a commoner form antelu.   So also Palsgrave gives O.F. antelop as the F. for 'anteloppe, a beest.'