|
|
| |
Definitions for: Hyena
[n] doglike nocturnal mammal of Africa and southern Asia that feeds chiefly on carrion
Webster (1913) Definition: Hy*e"na, n.; pl. Hyenas. [L. hyaena, Gr. ?, orig., a
sow, but usually, a Libyan wild beast, prob., the hyena, fr.
? hog: cf. F. hy[`e]ne. See Sow female hog.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any carnivorous mammal of the family Hy[ae]nid[ae], 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 hy[ae]na.]
Note: The striped hyena (Hy[ae]na 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. spel[ae]a) inhabited England and
France.
Cave hyena. See under Cave.
Hyena dog (Zo["o]l.), 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.
Synonyms: hyaena
See Also: aardwolf, brown hyena, canid, canine, Crocuta crocuta, family Hyaenidae, Hyaena brunnea, Hyaena hyaena, Hyaenidae, laughing hyena, Proteles cristata, spotted hyena, strand wolf, striped hyena
|
|
Try our:
Scrabble Word Finder
Scrabble Cheat
Words With Friends Cheat
Hanging With Friends Cheat
Scramble With Friends Cheat
Ruzzle Cheat
Related Resources:
animals begin with i
b letter animals
|
