Lexic.us

Definition of Laughing hyena

1. Noun. African hyena noted for its distinctive howl.

Definition of Laughing hyena

1. Noun. (informal) The spotted hyena (''Crocuta crocuta''); so called because of the resemblance of its call to laughter. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Laughing Hyena

Literary usage of Laughing hyena

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Noctes Ambrosianæ by John Wilson, Robert Shelton Mackenzie, James Hogg (1863)
"No, James, not the laughing hyena, for he adds, " taking docilely upon ... Still, whether a laughing hyena, a zebra, a quagga, a star, or a watch- Shepherd. ..."

2. Noctes Ambrosianæ by John Wilson, Robert Shelton Mackenzie, James Hogg, William Maginn, John Gibson Lockhart (1856)
"speaks of the spectacle of a man of genius " tamed and domesticated in society," he must have been thinking North. No, James, not the laughing hyena ..."

3. The Daughter of the Storage: And Other Things in Prose and Verse by William Dean Howells (1916)
"Fountain: "No, but you called me a laughing hyena, and said I scoffed at ... But I take back the laughing hyena." Fountain: "And I take back the serpent. ..."

4. London Society edited by James Hogg, Florence Marryat (1872)
"But the laughing Hyena gave you five pounds at tho end of the sale.' ' The laughing Hyena, Mr. Jones?' ' Oh ! beg pardon : that is what we call him in the ..."

Other Resources: