Canada lynx

noun

See under lynx.

Origin of Canada lynx

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

lynx

[lingks]

noun, plural lynx·es, (especially collectively) lynx for 1.

any of several wildcats of the genus Lynx (or Felis), having long limbs, a short tail, and usually tufted ears, especially L. lynx (Canada lynx), of Canada and the northern U.S., having grayish-brown fur marked with white.

genitive Lyn·cis

[lin-sis] /ˈlɪn sɪs/. (initial capital letter) Astronomy. a northern constellation between Ursa Major and Auriga.

Origin of lynx

1300–50; Middle English < Latin < Greek lýnx

Related formslynx·like, adjective

Can be confusedlinks lynx

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for canada lynx

lynx

noun plural lynxes or lynx

a feline mammal, Felis lynx (or canadensis), of Europe and North America, with grey-brown mottled fur, tufted ears, and a short tailRelated adjective: lyncean

the fur of this animal

bay lynx another name for bobcat

desert lynx another name for caracal

Also called: Polish lynx a large fancy pigeon from Poland, with spangled or laced markings

Derived Formslynxlike, adjective

Word Origin for lynx

C14: via Latin from Greek lunx; related to Old English lox, German Luchs

Lynx

noun Latin genitive Lyncis (ˈlɪnsɪs)

a faint constellation in the N hemisphere lying between Ursa Major and Cancer

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for canada lynx

lynx

mid-14c., from Latin lynx (source of Spanish, Portuguese, Italian lince), from Greek lyngz, perhaps from PIE *leuk- "light" (see light (n.)), in reference to its gleaming eyes or its ability to see in the dark.

If that men hadden eyghen of a beeste that highte lynx, so that the lokynge of folk myghte percen thurw the thynges that withstonden it. [Chaucer's "Boethius," c.1380]

Cf. Lithuanian luzzis, Old High German luhs, German luchs, Old English lox, Dutch los, Swedish lo "lynx."