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animal - What does it mean?

Definition of 'animal'

English

(wikipedia)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) (m), from (etyl) (m), from (etyl) (m), a nominal use of an adjective from (m), neuter of (m), from ).

Noun

(en-noun)
  • In scientific usage, a multicellular organism that is usually mobile, whose cells are not encased in a rigid cell wall (distinguishing it from plants and fungi) and which derives energy solely from the consumption of other organisms (distinguishing it from plants).
  • In non-scientific usage, any member of the kingdom Animalia other than a human being.
  • In non-scientific usage, any land-living vertebrate (i.e. not birds, fishes, insects etc.).
  • * {{quote-magazine|year=2013|month=July-August|author=(Henry Petroski)
    • |title= Geothermal Energy |volume=101|issue=4|magazine=(American Scientist) |passage=Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. With more settled people, animals were harnessed to capstans or caged in treadmills to turn grist into meal.}}
  • (figuratively) A person who behaves wildly; a bestial, brutal, brutish, cruel, or inhuman person.
  • (informal) A person of a particular type.
    • Synonyms
    * (organism) beast, creature * (non-human organism) beast * (person who behaves wildly) brute, monster, savage
    Hyponyms
    * See also
    Related terms
    * anima * animus * animate * Animalia

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) animalis, from either or animus. Originally distinct from the noun, it became associated with attributive use of the noun and is now indistinguishable from it.

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Of or relating to animals.
    • animal instincts
  • Raw, base, unhindered by social codes.
    • animal passions
  • Pertaining to the spirit or soul; relating to sensation or innervation.
  • * 2003', To explain what activated the flesh, ‘'''animal spirits’ were posited, superfine fluids which shuttled between the mind and the vitals, conveying messages and motion. — Roy Porter, ''Flesh in the Age of Reason (Penguin 2004, p. 47)
  • (slang|Ireland) Excellent.
    • Synonyms
    * (of animals) beastly, bestial * (unhindered by social codes) animalistic, beastly, bestial, untamed, wild
    Derived terms
    {{der3|animalistic |animal liberation |animal magnetism |manimal}}

    See also

    *

    Anagrams

    * * * * * * ----

    Similar to 'animal'

    aminal, ammonal, anomal, aminyl, anemial