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Droppings Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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droppings

[ˈdrɒpɪŋz ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

animal waste

Droppings refer to the excrement or feces left behind by animals. This waste can provide valuable information about the animal's diet, health, and presence in a particular area. Droppings are often used by researchers and wildlife enthusiasts to track and study animal populations.

Synonyms

excrement, feces, scat.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
droppings

Commonly used in a casual or general sense, especially when referring to animals like birds or rodents. Often used in conversation about the presence of animals in a specific area.

  • The barn was filled with bird droppings.
  • We found mouse droppings in the pantry.
excrement

A more formal or clinical term. Frequently used in medical, scientific, or veterinary contexts. It is less commonly used in everyday conversation.

  • The doctor analyzed the excrement to diagnose the illness.
  • The study of animal excrement can provide ecological insights.
feces

Also a formal term, often used in medical and scientific discussions. More commonly used in clinical or academic settings, and can sound less colloquial.

  • The researchers collected feces samples from the test subjects.
  • Certain diseases can be detected through feces analysis.
scat

A term frequently used specifically for animal droppings in the context of wildlife research or tracking. Often used by biologists, ecologists, and outdoor enthusiasts.

  • The ranger identified the animal by analyzing its scat.
  • Scat can tell a lot about an animal's diet and health.

Examples of usage

  • Droppings can help wildlife biologists determine the health of a population.
  • The ranger examined the droppings to identify the animal that had passed through the area.
  • The shape and size of the droppings can indicate the species of animal.
  • Some animals use their droppings to mark their territory.
  • Fresh droppings suggest that the animal is nearby.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'droppings'

The word 'droppings' originated from the verb 'drop' which means to fall or descend. Over time, the term evolved to specifically refer to the waste or excrement dropped by animals. The use of droppings for tracking and studying animal behavior has a long history, dating back to early observations by naturalists and researchers.

See also: drop, droplet, droplets, dropped, dropper, dropping, drops.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,438, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.