animal

Definition of animal

Pronunciation

• enPR: ăn'É™mÉ™l, IPA: /ˈænÉ™mÉ™l/, SAMPA: /"{n@m@l/
• Audio (US) ^[?]

Etymology 1

From Middle English animal from Old French animal from Latin animal, a nominal use of an adjective from animale, neuter of animalis adj, from anima ‘breath, spirit'. Displaced native Middle English deor, der "animal" (from Old English dÄ"or "animal"), Middle English reother "animal, neat" (from Old English hrīþer, hrȳþer "neat, ox").

Noun

animal (plural animals)

1. 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).
   
   A cat is an animal, not a plant.
   Humans are also animals, under the scientific definition, as we are not plants.
   
   
2. In non-scientific usage, any member of the kingdom Animalia other than a human being.
3. In non-scientific usage, any land-living vertebrate (i.e. not birds, fishes, insects etc)
4. (figuratively) A person who behaves wildly; a bestial, brutal, brutish, cruel, or inhuman person.
   
   My students are animals.
   
   
5. (informal) A person of a particular type.
   
   a political animal

Etymology 2

From Latin animalis, from either anima ‘breath, spirit' or animus. Originally distinct from the noun, it became associated with attributive use of the noun and is now indistinguishable from it.

Adjective

animal (not comparable)

1. Of or relating to animals.
2. Raw, base, unhindered by social codes.
3. Pertaining to the spirit or soul; relating to sensation or innervation.