HYENA

hyena, hyaena

(noun) doglike nocturnal mammal of Africa and southern Asia that feeds chiefly on carrion

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

hyena (plural hyenas or hyena or hyenae)

Any of the medium-sized to large feliform carnivores of the subfamily Hyaeninae (genera Hyaena and Crocuta), native to Africa and Asia and noted for the sound similar to laughter which they can make if excited.

(Sub-Saharan Africa) A man that performs ritualized sex acts with recently widowed women and menarchal girls.

• see hyena

Usage notes

The hyena family, Hyaenidae, also includes the smaller insectivorous aardwolf, the sole survivor of a lineage regarded as more dog-like.

Anagrams

• Haney, Hayne

Source: Wiktionary

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Hy*e"na, n.; pl. Hyenas. Etym: [L. hyaena, Gr. hyène. See Sow female hog.] (Zoöl.)

Definition: Any carnivorous mammal of the family Hyænidæ, of which three living species are known. They are large and strong, but cowardly. They feed chiefly on carrion, and are nocturnal in their habits. [Written also hyæna.]

Note: The striped hyena (Hyæna striata) inhabits Southern Asia and a large part of Africa. The brown hyena (H. brunnea), and the spotted hyena (Crocuta maculata), are found in Southern Africa. The extinct cave hyena (H. spelæa) inhabited England and France. Cave hyena. See under Cave.

– Hyena dog (Zoöl.), a South African canine animal (Lycaon venaticus), which hunts in packs, chiefly at night. It is smaller than the common wolf, with very large, erect ears, and a bushy tail. Its color is reddish or yellowish brown, blotched with black and white. Called also hunting dog.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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