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hyena

noun hy·e·na \hī-ˈē-nə\

: a large animal of Asia and Africa that eats the flesh of dead animals

plural hyenas also hyena

Full Definition of HYENA

:  any of several large strong nocturnal carnivorous Old World mammals (family Hyaenidae) that usually feed as scavengers
— hy·e·nic \-ˈē-nik, -ˈe-nik\ adjective
See hyena defined for English-language learners
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Origin of HYENA

Middle English hyene, from Latin hyaena, from Greek hyaina, from hys hog — more at sow
First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with HYENA

arena, Athena, Bernina, cantina, catena, Christina, coquina, corbina, corvina, czarina, dracaena, euglena, farina, fontina, galena, Georgina, kachina, marina, Marina, medina, Medina, novena, patina, piscina, platina, retsina, sestina, Shechinah, subpoena, verbena
HYENA Defined for Kids

hyena

noun hy·e·na \hī-ˈē-nə\

Definition of HYENA for Kids

:  a large doglike mammal of Asia and Africa that lives on flesh

Learn More About HYENA

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8 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. hyena
  2. hyena dog
  3. brown hyena
  4. cave hyena
  5. laughing hyena
  6. painted hyena
  7. spotted hyena
  8. striped hyena
Next Word in the Dictionary: hyena dogPrevious Word in the Dictionary: hydtAll Words Near: hyena
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