English

hyena

Meaning
Synonyms
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  1. Any of the medium-sized to large feliform carnivores of the family Hyaenidae, native to Africa and Asia and noted for the sound similar to laughter which they can make if excited.
  2. A man that performs ritualized sex acts with recently widowed women and menarchal girls.

Frequency

C2
Pronounced as (IPA)
/haɪˈiːnə/
Etymology

Inherited from Middle English
hiena
In summary

From Middle English hiena, variant of hyene, from Old French hiene, from Medieval Latin hyēna, from Latin hyaena, from Ancient Greek ὕαινα (húaina). Displaced native Old English nihtgenġe (literally “night walker”).

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