hyena
hyena Lexical Profile
hyena Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A doglike, carnivorous mammal of the family Hyaenidae, native to Africa and parts of Asia, noted for its scavenging habits, sloping back, and, particularly in the spotted species, a vocalization that resembles human laughter.
"During the night on the savanna, we were kept awake by the eerie, laughing calls of a spotted hyena."
A person who exhibits mocking, cruel, or rapacious behavior, often rejoicing in the misfortune of others.
"The tabloids acted like a pack of hyenas, aggressively cornering the disgraced politician to capture his ruin."
• Rhymes for hyena
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English hiena, borrowed from Latin hyaena, which traces back to Ancient Greek húaina, the feminine form of hûs (meaning 'pig'). The name was likely given due to the animal's bristly mane resembling that of a wild boar.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.