stag

Everyday

1. A stag is an adult male deer, usually one with large branching antlers. tree →
2. A stag party or stag night is a party for a man just before his wedding, with only his male friends (mostly UK, Ireland, Australia). tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature lessons «stag» names the male deer, while «doe» or «hind» names the female and «fawn» the young; it often comes up when pupils learn about antlers, herds and the autumn rut, when stags fight. Stories use a proud stag as a picture of strength and wildness. Phrases: «a red deer stag», «stag beetle» (a big beetle whose jaws look like antlers), «stag party», «stag do».

Examples

• A stag stood at the edge of the forest. tree →
• The stag's antlers had twelve points. tree →
• In autumn the stags roar and fight for the herd. tree →
• We saw a stag and two does in the park in Scotland. tree →
• A stag beetle crawled across the log. tree →
• Stags drop their antlers every year and grow new ones. tree →
• My uncle had his stag party the week before the wedding. tree →
• The ranger told us never to go close to a stag in the rutting season. tree →

Note

Plural: stags. Female deer: doe or hind; young: fawn. Do not confuse with «stage». A stag beetle is an insect, not a deer. Safety: wild stags can be dangerous in autumn — keep your distance.