lynx

American  

[lingks] / lɪŋks /

noun

plural

lynxes,

plural

lynx,

genitive

Lyncis

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

2. (initial capital letter) a northern constellation between Ursa Major and Auriga.

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lynx ¹ British  

/ lɪŋks /

noun

1. a feline mammal, Felis lynx (or canadensis ), of Europe and North America, with grey-brown mottled fur, tufted ears, and a short tail

2. the fur of this animal

3. another name for bobcat

4. another name for caracal

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

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Lynx ² British  

/ lɪŋks /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• lynxlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of lynx

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin, from Greek lýnx

Compare meaning

How does lynx compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• lynx vs. bobcat
• caracal vs. lynx

Example Sentences

Ospreys diving for fish, mountain hares in the snow, puffins with bills full of sand eels, red squirrels, beavers and even a lynx.

From BBC

The environmental campaigner and writer George Monbiot has said wolves and lynx could be relied on to "get on with the job".

From BBC

In the Vermont woods where Mr. Hoagland lives, coyotes have replaced wolves while bobcats have taken the place of Canada lynx.

From The Wall Street Journal

The zoo says the food provided in this way is "reminiscent of what it would naturally hunt in the wild" - and that this is especially true for the Eurasian lynx.

From BBC

Other rewilding efforts - both legal and illegal - causing debate include sea eagles, lynx, wolves, elk, and even some species of butterfly, while sightings of wild boar on Dartmoor sparked division.

From BBC

Related Words

• bobcat
• wildcat