Dall
/dɔːl/noun
Dall is chiefly used in the established name “Dall sheep,” a white mountain sheep native to northwestern North America.
Did you know?The scientific name Ovis dalli honors American naturalist William Healey Dall, who never formally described the species but was commemorated by its name.
Etymological Timeline
19th Century
English
William Healey Dall
“Surname of the American naturalist and explorer honored by the species’ name.”
1877
Latin
Ovis dalli
“Scientific name meaning, in effect, “Dall’s sheep”; the species was named in Dall’s honor.”
19th Century
English
Dall’s sheep
“Common English name for the white mountain sheep of northwestern North America.”
20th Century
English
Dall sheep
“The apostrophe was commonly omitted in the shortened modern common name.”