Animalia
/ˌanɪˈmeɪlɪə/Biology
noun
With singular or plural concord. The kingdom of living organisms that comprises the animals, now usually including only metazoans but formerly also including protozoans.
- Animalia formed one of three kingdoms of natural objects (the others being plants and minerals) in Linnaeus' classification. The number of kingdoms recognized later rose to five (excluding minerals), and there are more than twenty in some modern schemes. This taxon, if used at all, is now generally restricted by zoologists to heterotrophic, diploid, multicellular forms..
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in Parents' Friend. From scientific Latin Animalia, specifically use of classical Latin animalia, plural of animal.