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hyena

Syllabification: (hy·e·na)

Pronunciation: /hīˈēnə/

Translate hyena | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of hyena

noun

a doglike African mammal with forelimbs that are longer than the hind limbs and an erect mane. Hyenas are noted as scavengers but most are also effective hunters.
- Family Hyaenidae: two genera, in particular Hyaena, and three species

Origin:

Middle English: via Latin from Greek huaina, feminine of hus 'pig' (the transference of the term probably being because the animal's mane was thought to resemble a hog's bristles)