GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Hyena , n.; pl. Hyenas . [L. hyaena, Gr. , orig., a sow, but usually, a Libyan wild beast, prob., the hyena, fr.  hog: cf. F. hyène. See Sow female hog.] (Zool.) Any carnivorous mammal of the family Hyænidæ, doglike nocturnal mammals of Africa and southern Asia, 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. [Written also hyæna.]
   Syn. -- hyaena.
   1913 Webster
   ☞ The striped hyena (Hyæna striata) inhabits Southern Asia and a large part of Africa.  The brown hyena (Hyæna brunnea), and the spotted hyena (Crocuta maculata), are found in Southern Africa.  The extinct cave hyena (Hyæna spelæa) inhabited England and France.
   1913 Webster
   Cave hyena. See under Cave. -- Hyena dog (Zool.), a South African canine animal (Lycaon venaticus), which hunts in packs, chiefly at night. It is smaller than the common wolf, with very large, erect ears, and a bushy tail. Its color is reddish or yellowish brown, blotched with black and white. Called also hunting dog.
   1913 Webster