hyena Meaning, Definition & Usage

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

L. hyaena, Gr. , orig., a sow, but usually, a Libyan wild beast, prob., the hyena, fr. hog: cf. F. hyène. See Sow female hog.

plural Hyenas

(Zoöl.) 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. ✍ 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.