any member of the kingdom Animalia, comprising multicellular organisms that have a well-defined shape and usually limited growth, can move voluntarily, actively acquire food and digest it internally, and have sensory and nervous systems that allow them to respond rapidly to stimuli: some classification schemes also include protozoa and certain other single-celled eukaryotes that have motility and animallike nutritional modes.
any such living thing other than a human being.
a mammal, as opposed to a fish, bird, etc.
the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of human beings; animality: the animal in every person.
an inhuman person; brutish or beastlike person: She married an animal.
thing: A perfect job? Is there any such animal?
adjective
of, relating to, or derived from animals: animal instincts; animal fats.
pertaining to the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of humans, rather than their spiritual or intellectual nature: animal needs.
Origin of animal
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (from Old French ), from Latin, noun derivative (with loss of final vowel and shortening of ā) of animāle, neuter of animālis “living, animate,” equivalent to anim(a) “air, breath” + -ālis; English adjective also directly from Latin animālis; see -al1;
SYNONYMS FOR animal
5 monster.
8 fleshly, physical; beastly, brutal.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR animal ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for animal
2. Animal,beast,brute refer to sentient creatures as distinct from minerals and plants; figuratively, they usually connote qualities and characteristics below the human level. Animal is the general word; figuratively, it applies merely to the body or to animal-like characteristics: An athlete is a magnificent animal.Beast refers to four-footed animals; figuratively, it suggests a base, sensual nature: A glutton is a beast.Brute implies absence of ability to reason; figuratively, it connotes savagery as well: a drunken brute.8. See carnal.
Although humans might have hunted at the lake, the researchers found no stone tools or animal bones bearing butchery marks.
Seven footprints may be the oldest evidence of humans on the Arabian Peninsula|Bruce Bower|September 17, 2020|Science News
It was a forest that had persisted for more than 100 million years, sheltering a dizzying abundance of plants, animals, and fungi that were found nowhere else on Earth.
The Environmental Headache in Your Shampoo - Issue 90: Something Green|Anastasia Bendebury & Michael Shilo DeLay|September 16, 2020|Nautilus
With that coupling, you also get 693 phase-detect autofocus points to enable face tracking for both people and animals.
Sony built a tiny mirrorless camera with a full-frame sensor inside|Stan Horaczek|September 16, 2020|Popular Science
They’re also a key food source for bigger animals like bears and whales.
This Startup Is Growing Sushi-Grade Salmon From Cells in a Lab|Vanessa Bates Ramirez|September 16, 2020|Singularity Hub
Species ranged in size from smaller, doggish animals to somewhat cowlike creatures.
Ancient Lystrosaurus tusks may show the oldest signs of a hibernation-like state|Susan Milius|September 16, 2020|Science News
He then provides some insight into his psyche - complete with Animal House reference.
Huckabee 2016: Bend Over and Take It Like a Prisoner!|Olivia Nuzzi|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Not sure if you noticed, but 2014 has been a banner year for animal robots.
A 64-year-old animal trainer, he makes the six-hour round-trip every two weeks to submit to her and explore his sexuality.
Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau|Ian Frisch|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But does this means that animal ownership continues in heaven?
Sorry, Internet: Pope Francis Didn't Open Paradise to Pets|Candida Moss|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Christmas Vacation was the last production from the original company that started with Animal House.
Dinner at Nitehawk Cinema: ‘Christmas Vacation’ and a Beer in a Pear Tree|Rich Goldstein|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is always of a deep colour, and is doubtless introduced in the state of cercaria, when the animal is drinking.
Animal Parasites and Messmates|P. J. Van Beneden
His animal stories are marvels of sympathetic science and literary exactness.
Asa Holmes|Annie Fellows Johnston
In this way the curious parallelism to animal motions, which was so striking and disturbing to the human beholder, was attained.
The War of the Worlds|H. G. Wells
He was so angry at the animal, that he ran after it, seized it, and dashed its life out against a rock.
Filipino Popular Tales|Dean S. Fansler
His name was Arrogante, and he was an animal of prodigious power.
Minnie's Pet Dog|Madeline Leslie
British Dictionary definitions for animal
animal
/ (ˈænɪməl) /
noun
zoologyany living organism characterized by voluntary movement, the possession of cells with noncellulose cell walls and specialized sense organs enabling rapid response to stimuli, and the ingestion of complex organic substances such as plants and other animalsRelated prefix: zoo-
any mammal, esp any mammal except man
a brutish person
facetiousa person or thing (esp in the phrase no such animal)
Australianinformala very dirty car
adjective
of, relating to, or derived from animalsanimal products; an animal characteristic
of or relating to the physical needs or desires; carnal; sensual
Word Origin for animal
C14: from Latin animal (n), from animālis (adj) living, breathing; see anima
A multicellular organism with membranous cell walls of the kingdom Animalia, differing from plants in certain typical characteristics such as capacity for locomotion, nonphotosynthetic metabolism, pronounced response to stimuli, restricted growth, and fixed bodily structure.
An animal organism other than a human, especially a mammal.
A human considered with respect to his or her physical, as opposed to spiritual, nature.
adj.
Relating to, characteristic of, or derived from an animal or animals.
Relating to the physical as distinct from the spiritual nature of humans.
Any of the multicellular organisms belonging to the kingdom Animalia. All animals are eukaryotes, with each of their cells having a nucleus containing DNA. Most animals develop from a blastula and have a digestive tract, nervous system, the ability to move voluntarily, and specialized sensory organs for recognizing and responding to stimuli in the environment. Animals are heterotrophs, feeding on plants, other animals, or organic matter. The first animals probably evolved from protists and appeared during the Precambrian Era.