English Explanatory Dictionary

hyena

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Any of the medium-sized to large feliform carnivores of the family Hyaenidae, native to Africa and Asia and noted for the sound similar to laughter which they can make if excited.
  2. A man that performs ritualized sex acts with recently widowed women and menarchal girls.

Pronunciation

hī-ēʹnə /haɪˈiːnə/ en-us-hyena.ogg

Word forms

hyena hyenas hyenae hyaena hyæna hyen

Etymology

From Middle English hiena, variant of hyene, from Old French hiene, from Medieval Latin hyēna, from Latin hyaena, from Ancient Greek ὕαινα (húaina). Displaced native Old English nihtgenġe (literally “night walker”).

Synonyms

hyaenid

Related words

aardwolf

Derived words

brown hyena cave hyena giant hyena hyena dog hyenalike hyenic hyenine hyenoid hyote laughing hyena laugh like a hyena running hyena spotted hyena striped hyena Hyaena hyaena werehyena
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