lyn

a. [ See Lynx. ] (Zool.) Of or pertaining to the lynx. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Lynched p. pr. & vb. n. Lynching. ] [ See Note under Lynch law. ] To inflict punishment upon, especially death, without the forms of law, as when a mob captures and hangs a suspected person. See Lynch law. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who assists in lynching. [ 1913 Webster ]

pos>n. The act or practice by private persons of inflicting punishment for crimes or offenses, without due process of law. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The term Lynch law is said to be derived from a Virginian named Lynch, who took the law into his own hands. But the origin of the term is very doubtful. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ , n. See Linden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Linen. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. lynx, lyncis, Gr. ly`gx; akin to AS. lox, G. luchs, prob. named from its sharp sight, and akin to E. light. See Light, n., and cf. Ounce an animal. ] 1. (Zool.) Any one of several species of feline animals of the genus Felis, and subgenus Lynx. They have a short tail, and usually a pencil of hair on the tip of the ears. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Among the well-known species are the European lynx (Felis borealis); the Canada lynx or loup-cervier (Felis Canadensis syn. Lynx lynx); the bay lynx of America (Felis rufa), and its western spotted variety (var. maculata); and the pardine lynx (Felis pardina) of Southern Europe.

2. (Astron.) One of the northern constellations. [ 1913 Webster ]