Main Entry:

lynx

Pronunciation:

\ˈliŋ(k)s\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural lynx or lynx·es

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek; akin to Old English lox lynx and probably to Greek leukos white — more at light

Date:

14th century

: any of several wildcats with relatively long legs, a short stubby tail, mottled coat, and often tufted ears that are thought to comprise a distinct genus (Lynx) of the cat family or to be part of a genus (Felis) that includes the domestic cat and cougar as a: a lynx (L. lynx) of northern Europe and Asia b: bobcat c: a North American lynx (L. canadensis) distinguished from the bobcat by its larger size, longer tufted ears, and wholly black tail tip —called also Canadian lynx

[lynx illustration]