| 单词 | animal |
| 释义 | animal —animalic /an'euh mal"ik/, animalian /an'euh may"lee euhn, -mayl"yeuhn/, adj. /an"euh meuhl/, n. 1. 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. 2. any such living thing other than a human being. 3. a mammal, as opposed to a fish, bird, etc. 4. the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of human beings; animality: the animal in every person. 5. an inhuman person; brutish or beastlike person: She married an animal. 6. thing: A perfect job? Is there any such animal? adj. 7. of, pertaining to, or derived from animals: animal instincts; animal fats. 8. pertaining to the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of humans, rather than their spiritual or intellectual nature: animal needs. [1300-50; ME ( < OF) < L, n. deriv. (with loss of final vowel and shortening of a) of animale, neut. of animalis living, animate, equiv. to anim(a) air, breath + -alis -AL1; E adj. also directly < L animalis] Syn. 1, 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. 5. monster. 8. fleshly, physical; beastly, brutal. See carnal. |
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