Hyena
/haɪˈiːnə/noun
A carnivorous mammal known for its powerful jaws, scavenging habits, and eerie laughing vocalizations.
Did you know?The English word ultimately comes from Greek hýaina, the female form of hýs, meaning “pig,” because ancient writers thought the animal looked pig-like.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
hýaina
“hyena; the female form of a word meaning “pig””
Latin
Latin
hyaena
“hyena”
Old French
Old French
hiene
“hyena”
Middle English
English
hiene
“hyena”
Modern English
English
hyena
“hyena”