nu, the name given to two species of South African antelopes. The gnu of either sex has horns projecting slightly outward and downward, then bending abruptly upward, so that the head looks like a buffalo's. It has bristly black hair about the face and muzzle, a white, stiff mane and horse-like tail. The animal is about nine feet long and stands about four feet high at the shoulder. Gnus live in herds and are said to be fierce when attacked, but when taken young they have been found capable of domestication. The brindle gnu is larger than the common gnu and has black stripes on the neck and shoulders and a black tail. When alarmed, either species will wheel in a circle once or twice before running away.