animal

¹an·i·mal

noun \ˈa-nə-məl\

Definition of ANIMAL

1

: any of a kingdom (Animalia) of living things including many-celled organisms and often many of the single-celled ones (as protozoans) that typically differ from plants in having cells without cellulose walls, in lacking chlorophyll and the capacity for photosynthesis, in requiring more complex food materials (as proteins), in being organized to a greater degree of complexity, and in having the capacity for spontaneous movement and rapid motor responses to stimulation

2

a : one of the lower animals as distinguished from human beings b : mammal; broadly : vertebrate

3

: a human being considered chiefly as physical or nonrational; also : this nature

4

: a person with a particular interest or aptitude <a political animal>

5

: matter, thing <the theater … is an entirely different animal — Arthur Miller>; also : creature 1c

— an·i·mal·like \-mə(l)-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of ANIMAL

1. the animals in the zoo
2. the plants and animals of the forest
3. She loves all kinds of animals.
4. Fish, birds, insects, reptiles, mammals, and human beings are all animals.
5. You're all behaving like a bunch of animals.

Origin of ANIMAL

Latin, from animale, neuter of animalis animate, from anima soul — more at animate

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ANIMAL

Synonyms: beast, beastie, brute, creature, critter

Related Words: blastie [Scottish], varmint, vermin; biped, quadruped; carnivore, herbivore, insectivore; invertebrate, vertebrate; domestic animal, pet; feral; livestock, stock

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Other Zoology Terms

altruism, integument