Main Entry:

hy·e·na

Pronunciation:

\hī-ˈē-nə\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural hyenas also hyena

Etymology:

Middle English hyene, from Latin hyaena, from Greek hyaina, from hys hog — more at sow

Date:

14th century

: 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