lynx / lingks/ • n. a wild cat with yellowish-brown fur (sometimes spotted), a short tail, and tufted ears, found chiefly in the northern latitudes of North America and Eurasia. • Genus Lynx, family Felidae: the Eurasian lynx (L. lynx) and the Canadian lynx (L. canadensis or L. lynx). ∎  the fur of the lynx. ∎  (African lynx) see caracal.

Lynx / lingks/ Astron. an inconspicuous northern constellation (the Lynx), between Ursa Major and Gemini. ∎  [as genitive] (Lyn·cis / ˈlinsis/ ) used with a preceding letter or numeral to designate a star in this constellation: the star Alpha Lyncis.

lynx Any of several small cats found in forests of central and n Europe, along the French-Spanish border, and in the USA. It may be yellow-grey or reddish-brown. It has long legs, large feet, tufted ears, and characteristic beard-like hair on its cheeks. Length: to 116cm (46in). Family Felidae.

lynx feline animal credited with very keen sight. XIV. — L. — Gr. lúgx, rel. to OE. lox, OHG. luhs (G. luchs), Lith. lúšis, Mlr. lug; prob. f. IE. *leuk-, as in Gr. leússein see (see LIGHT1).

lynx a member of the cat family traditionally alluded to for its keenness of sight; the expression lynx-eyed is recorded from the late 16th century.