Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The typical genus of the family Hyænidæ.
  • noun [lowercase] The Linnean specific name of Canis hyæna, equivalent to the modern family Hyænidæ.
  • noun In ichthyology, a genus of fishes.
  • noun [lowercase] See hyena.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Zoöl.) Same as hyena.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Alternative spelling of hyena.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

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

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The hyaena is a very cowardly animal, but frequently approaches persons lying asleep, and makes an ugly gash on the face.

    Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa 2004

  • This is necessary on account of danger from the spotted hyaena, which is said to be very fierce, and also as a protection against lions and elephants.

    Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa 2004

  • The hyaena was a fool, it did not know the weasel surpassed it in subtlety; it thought the meat was tied; but when it tried to draw out its tail, it was fast.

    Popular Tales from the Norse George Webbe Dasent 1856

  • I asked about calling a hyaena that but I was given big conditions like I have to find the missing clan and then maybe ... but then I ID'd one of the Makutswi cubs who we found has a black 'beard' and asked if I could call it potato.

    TravelPod.com TravelStream? ? Recent Entries at TravelPod.com 2010

  • The women of one kraal, for instance, may call a hyaena by its ordinary name; those of the next may use the common substitute; while in a third the substitute may also be unlawful and another term may have to be invented to supply its place.

    Chapter 22. Tabooed Words. § 4. Names of Kings and other Sacred Persons tabooed 1922

  • The women of one kraal, for instance, may call a hyaena by its ordinary name; those of the next may use the common substitute; while in a third the substitute may also be unlawful and another term may have to be invented to supply its place.

    The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion 1922

  • The women of one kraal, for instance, may call a hyaena by its ordinary name; those of the next may use the common substitute; while in a third the substitute may also be unlawful and another term may have to be invented to supply its place.

    The Golden Bough James George Frazer 1897

  • The women of one kraal, for instance, may call a hyaena by its ordinary name; those of the next may use the common substitute; while in a third the substitute may also be unlawful and another term may have to be invented to supply its place.

    The Golden Bough : a study of magic and religion 1583

  • "Well, we fancied that the cry of the hyaena was a recent invention of our own!" said Lousteau, "and here it was already known to the literature of the Empire.

    The Muse of the Department Honor�� de Balzac 1824

  • "Well, we fancied that the cry of the hyaena was a recent invention of our own!" said Lousteau, "and here it was already known to the literature of the Empire.

    Parisians in the Country Honor�� de Balzac 1824

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