Lynx
/lɪŋks/noun
A wild cat with a short tail, tufted ears, and often a spotted coat.
Did you know?The name comes from Greek and is connected to the old belief that the lynx had extraordinary vision, a reputation so strong it helped shape later scientific and poetic symbolism around sharp sight.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*lewk-
“to shine, be bright”
Ancient Greek
Greek
λύγξ (lýnx)
“the lynx; later associated with keen sight”
Latin
Latin
lynx
“the lynx”
Old French
Old French
linx
“the lynx”
Late Middle English
English
lynx
“the lynx”