Definitions for HYENA
haɪˈi nəhye·na

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. hyena, hyaenanoun

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

WiktionaryRate this definition:2.5 / 2 votes

1. hyenanoun

   Large, canine‐resembling carnivore belonging to the family Hyaenidae, native to Africa and Asia, often notable for the sound similar to laughter which it can make if excited.

2. Etymology: hiene, from hyaena, from ὕαινα, from ὗς and -αινα, from sū.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Hyen, Hyenanoun

   An animal like a wolf, said fabulously to imitate human voices.

   Etymology: hyene, French; hyæna, Latin.

   I will weep when you are disposed to be merry; I will laugh like a hyen, when you are inclined to sleep. William Shakespeare.

   A wonder more amazing would we find;
   The hyena shews it, of a double kind:
   Varying the sexes in alternate years,
   In one begets, and in another bears. John Dryden, Fables.

   The hyena was indeed well joined with the bever, as having also a bag in those parts, if thereby we understand the hyena adorata, or civet cat. Thomas Browne, Vulgar Errours.

   The keen hyena, fellest of the fell. James Thomson, Summer.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Hyena

   Hyenas or hyaenas (from Ancient Greek ὕαινα, hýaina) are feliform carnivoran mammals of the family Hyaenidae . With only four extant species (in three genera), it is the fifth-smallest biological family in the Carnivora, and one of the smallest in the class Mammalia. Despite their low diversity, hyenas are unique and vital components of most African ecosystems.Although phylogenetically they are closer to felines and viverrids, and belong to the feliform category, hyenas are behaviourally and morphologically similar to canines in several elements of convergent evolution; both hyenas and canines are non-arboreal, cursorial hunters that catch prey with their teeth rather than claws. Both eat food quickly and may store it, and their calloused feet with large, blunt, nonretractable claws are adapted for running and making sharp turns. However, the hyenas' grooming, scent marking, defecating habits, mating and parental behaviour are consistent with the behaviour of other feliforms.Spotted hyenas may kill as many as 95% of the animals they eat, while striped hyenas are largely scavengers. Generally, hyenas are known to drive off larger predators, like lions, from their kills, despite having a reputation in popular culture for being cowardly. Hyenas are primarily nocturnal animals, but sometimes venture from their lairs in the early-morning hours. With the exception of the highly social spotted hyena, hyenas are generally not gregarious animals, though they may live in family groups and congregate at kills.Hyenas first arose in Eurasia during the Miocene period from viverrid-like ancestors, and diversified into two distinct types: lightly built dog-like hyenas and robust bone-crushing hyenas. Although the dog-like hyenas thrived 15 million years ago (with one taxon having colonised North America), they became extinct after a change in climate along with the arrival of canids into Eurasia. Of the dog-like hyena lineage, only the insectivorous aardwolf survived, while the bone-crushing hyenas (including the extant spotted, brown and striped hyenas) became the undisputed top scavengers of Eurasia and Africa.Hyenas feature prominently in the folklore and mythology of human cultures that live alongside them. Hyenas are commonly viewed as frightening and worthy of contempt. In some cultures, hyenas are thought to influence people's spirits, rob graves, and steal livestock and children. Other cultures associate them with witchcraft, using their body parts in traditional African medicine.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. hyena

   A hyena is a carnivorous wild mammal native to Africa and Asia, known for its distinctive laughing sound, strong jaws, and scavenging habits. There are four species, the spotted, brown and striped hyena and the aardwolf, and they are classified in the family Hyaenidae. These animals are known for their intelligence and are mostly social, living in large groups called clans.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:2.5 / 2 votes

1. Hyenanoun

   any carnivorous mammal of the family Hyaenidae, 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

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Hyena

   Hyenas or Hyaenas are the animals of the family Hyaenidae of suborder feliforms of the Carnivora. It is the fourth smallest biological family in the Carnivora, and one of the smallest in the mammalia. Despite their low diversity, hyenas are unique and vital components to most African and some Asian ecosystems. Although phylogenetically close to felines and viverrids, hyenas are behaviourally and morphologically similar to canines in several aspects; both hyenas and canines are non-arboreal, cursorial hunters that catch prey with their teeth rather than claws. Both eat food quickly and may store it, and their calloused feet with large, blunt, non-retractable nails are adapted for running and making sharp turns. However, the hyenas' grooming, scent marking, defecating habits, mating and parental behaviour are consistent with the behaviour of other feliforms. Although long reputed to be cowardly scavengers, hyenas, especially spotted hyenas, kill as much as 95% of the food they eat, and have been known to drive off leopards or lionesses from their kills. Hyenas are primarily nocturnal animals, but may venture from their lairs in the early morning hours. With the exception of the highly social spotted hyena, hyenas are generally not gregarious animals, though they may live in family groups and congregate at kills.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Hyena

   hī-ē′na, Hyen, hī′en, n. (Shak.) a hyæna.

Matched Categories

1. • Canine

How to pronounce HYENA?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say HYENA in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of HYENA in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of HYENA in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=HYENA
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Hyena
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=HYENA
4. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyena
5. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
6. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/HYENA
7. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=HYENA
8. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=HYENA