hyrax

[ hahy-raks ]

noun,plural hy·rax·es, hy·ra·ces [hahy-ruh-seez]. /ˈhaɪ rəˌsiz/.
  1. any of several species of small mammals of the order Hyracoidea, of Africa and the Mediterranean region, having short legs, ears, and tail, and hooflike nails on the toes.

Origin of hyrax

1
1825–35; <New Latin <Greek hýrax (genitive hýrakos) shrewmouse

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How to use hyrax in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hyrax

hyrax

/ (ˈhaɪræks) /


nounplural hyraxes or hyraces (ˈhaɪrəˌsiːz)
  1. any agile herbivorous mammal of the family Procaviidae and order Hyracoidea, of Africa and SW Asia, such as Procavia capensis (rock hyrax). They resemble rodents but have feet with hooflike toes: Also called: dassie, ((South African)) rock rabbit

Origin of hyrax

1
C19: from New Latin, from Greek hurax shrewmouse; probably related to Latin sōrex

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