lynx

Meaning

Noun

• Any of several medium-sized wild cats, mostly of the genus Lynx.

Origin

• From Middle English lynx, from Latin lynx, from Ancient Greek λύγξ, from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- ("white; light; bright"), because of the cat's glowing eyes and ability to see in the dark. Replaced Old English lox as the animal died out in Britain during the Middle Ages.