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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

1825–35; < New Latin < Greek hýrax (genitive hýrakos) shrewmouse
Also called dassie, das.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for hyrax

Historical Examples of hyrax

  • The following account of the Hyrax has been furnished to me by Lt.-Col.

    Bible Animals;

    J. G. Wood

  • A variety of nematodes have also been observed in the Cape hyrax.

    Parasites

    T. Spencer Cobbold

  • It is true there was much reason in his holding to the opinion that the hyrax is no pachyderm.

  • In size it must have been something like the rabbit or the hyrax.

  • We have left for our final consideration the aberrant and unique mammalian type found in Hyrax (Fig. 378).

British Dictionary definitions for hyrax

hyrax

noun plural 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 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