Carnivorous: meaning, definitions and examples

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carnivorous

 

[ kɑːrˈnɪvərəs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

eating habits

Carnivorous refers to organisms that primarily consume meat. This term is commonly used to describe animals that have adapted their physiology to hunt and eat other animals for survival.

Synonyms

flesh-eating, meat-eating, predatory

Examples of usage

  • Lions are carnivorous predators.
  • Some plants, like the Venus flytrap, are also considered carnivorous.
  • Many carnivorous mammals, such as wolves, hunt in packs.
  • The carnivorous diet of these species is essential for their growth.

Etymology

The word 'carnivorous' originates from the Latin 'carnivorus', where 'caro' means 'flesh' and 'vorare' means 'to devour'. It first appeared in English in the late 19th century and has been used in various biological and ecological contexts to describe animals that derive most of their energy and nutrients from eating animal flesh. The term has also been adopted into discussions about dietary practices in humans, particularly in contrast to herbivorous and omnivorous diets. Additionally, the concept of carnivory extends into the realm of plants with carnivorous characteristics, showcasing the diverse applications of the term in both zoology and botany.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,571, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.