hyaena

/haɪˈinə/

Other forms: hyaenas

Definitions of hyaena

1. noun

   doglike nocturnal mammal of Africa and southern Asia that feeds chiefly on carrion
   synonyms: hyena

   types:

   Hyaena hyaena, striped hyena

   of northern Africa and Arabia and India

   Hyaena brunnea, brown hyena, strand wolf

   of southern Africa

   Crocuta crocuta, laughing hyena, spotted hyena

   African hyena noted for its distinctive howl

   Proteles cristata, aardwolf

   striped hyena of southeast Africa that feeds chiefly on insects

   type of:

   canid, canine

   any of various fissiped mammals with nonretractile claws and typically long muzzles