Part 957

Hy*e"na (?), n.; pl. Hyenas (#). [L. hyaena, Gr. &?;, orig., a sow, but usually, a Libyan wild beast, prob., the hyena, fr. &?; hog: cf. F. hyËne. See Sow female hog.] (Zoˆl.) Any carnivorous mammal of the family HyÊnidÊ, of which three living species are known. They are large and strong, but cowardly. They feed chiefly on carrion, and are nocturnal in their habits. [Written also hyÊna.]

The striped hyena (HyÊna striata) inhabits Southern Asia and a large part of Africa. The brown hyena (H. brunnea), and the spotted hyena (Crocuta maculata), are found in Southern Africa. The extinct cave hyena (H. spelÊa) inhabited England and France.

Cave hyena. See under Cave. -- Hyena dog (Zoˆl.), a South African canine animal (Lycaon venaticus), which hunts in packs, chiefly at night. It is smaller than the common wolf, with very large, erect ears, and a bushy tail. Its color is reddish or yellowish brown, blotched with black and white. Called also hunting dog.

Hy"e*tal (?), a. [Gr. &?; rain, from &?; to rain.] Of or pertaining to rain; descriptive of the distribution of rain, or of rainy regions.

Hy"e*to*graph (?), n. [Gr. &?; rain + -graph.] A chart or graphic representation of the average distribution of rain over the surface of the earth.

Hy`e*to*graph"ic (?), a. Of or pertaining to to hyetography.

Hy`e*tog"ra*phy (?), n. The branch of physical science which treats of the geographical distribution of rain.

Hy*ge"ia (?), n. [L. Hygea, Hygia, fr. Gr. &?;, &?;, health, &?;, Hygeia, fr. &?; sound, healthy.] (Classic Myth.) The goddess of health, daughter of Esculapius.

Hy*ge"ian (?), a. Relating to Hygeia, the goddess of health; of or pertaining to health, or its preservation.

Hy"ge*ist (?), n. One skilled in hygiena; a hygienist.

Hy"gie*ist (?), n. A hygienist.

Hy"gi*ene (?), n. [F. hygiËne. See Hygeia.] That department of sanitary science which treats of the preservation of health, esp. of households and communities; a system of principles or rules designated for the promotion of health.

Hy`gi*en"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. hygiÈnique.] Of or pertaining to health or hygiene; sanitary.

Hy`gi*en"ics, n. The science of health; hygiene.

Hy"gi*en*ism (?), n. Hygiene.

Hy"gi*en*ist, n. One versed in hygiene.

Hy`gi*ol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; health + -logy.] A treatise on, or the science of, the preservation of health. [R.]

Hy"grine (?), n. [From Gr. &?; moist.] (Chem.) An alkaloid associated with cocaine in coca leaves (Erythroxylon coca), and extracted as a thick, yellow oil, having a pungent taste and odor.

Hy"gro*deik (?), n. [Gr. &?; wet, moist, and &?; to show.] (Physics) A form of hygrometer having wet and dry bulb thermometers, with an adjustable index showing directly the percentage of moisture in the air, etc.

Hy"gro*graph (?), n. [Gr. &?; wet + -graph.] (Physics) An instrument for recording automatically the variations of the humidity of the atmosphere.

Hy*grol"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; wet + -logy: cf. F. hygrologie.] (Med.) The science which treats of the fluids of the body.

Hy*grom"e*ter (?), n. [Gr. &?; wet, moist + -meter: cf. F. hygromËtre.] (Physics) An instrument for measuring the degree of moisture of the atmosphere.

Daniell's hygrometer, a form of hygrometer consisting of a bent glass tube terminating in two bulbs, the one covered with muslin, the other of black glass, and containing ether and a thermometer. Ether being poured on the muslin, the black ball, cooled by the evaporation of the ether within, is soon covered with dew; at this moment, the inclosed thermometer gives the dew-point, and this, compared with the reading of one in the air, determines the humidity.

{ Hy`gro*met"ric (?), Hy`gro*met"ric*al (?), } a. [Cf. F. hygromÈtrique.] 1. Of or pertaining to hygrometry; made with, or according to, the hygrometer; as, hygrometric observations.

2. Readily absorbing and retaining moisture; as, hygrometric substances, like potash.

Hy*grom"e*try (?), n. [Cf. F. hygromÈtrie.] (Physics) That branch of physics which relates to the determination of the humidity of bodies, particularly of the atmosphere, with the theory and use of the instruments constructed for this purpose.

Hy*groph"a*nous (?), a. [Gr. &?; wet + &?; to show.] Having such a structure as to be diaphanous when moist, and opaque when dry.

Hy`groph*thal"mic (?), a. [Gr. &?; wet + E. ophthalmic.] (Anat.) Serving to moisten the eye; -- sometimes applied to the lachrymal ducts.