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hyrax

[ hahy-raks ]
/ ˈhaɪ ræks /

noun, plural hy·rax·es, hy·ra·ces [hahy-ruh-seez]. /ˈhaɪ rəˌsiz/.

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.

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Also called dassie, das.

Origin of hyrax

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

Words nearby hyrax

hypsography, hypsometer, hypsometry, hyracoid, hyracotherium, hyrax, Hyrcania, Hyrcanian, hyson, hyssop, hyster-
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for hyrax

British Dictionary definitions for hyrax

hyrax
/ (ˈhaɪræks) /

noun plural hyraxes or hyraces (ˈhaɪrəˌsiːz)

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 toesAlso called: dassie, ((South African)) rock rabbit

Word Origin for hyrax

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