\Rein"deer`\ (r?n"d?r), n. [Icel. hreinn reindeer + E.
deer. Icel. hreinn is of Lapp or Finnish origin; cf. Lappish
reino pasturage.] [Formerly written also {raindeer}, and
{ranedeer}.] (Zool.)
Any ruminant of the genus {Rangifer}, of the Deer family,
found in the colder parts of both the Eastern and Western
hemispheres, and having long irregularly branched antlers,
with the brow tines palmate.
Note: The common European species ({R. tarandus}) is
      domesticated in Lapland. The woodland reindeer or
      caribou ({R. caribou}) is found in Canada and Maine
      (see {Caribou}.) The Barren Ground reindeer or caribou
      ({R. Gr[oe]nlandicus}), of smaller size, is found on
      the shores of the Arctic Ocean, in both hemispheries.
{Reindeer moss} (Bot.), a gray branching lichen ({Cladonia
   rangiferina}) which forms extensive patches on the ground
   in arctic and even in north temperature regions. It is the
   principal food of the Lapland reindeer in winter.
{Reindeer period} (Geol.), a name sometimes given to a part
   of the Paleolithic era when the reindeer was common over
   Central Europe.