Omnivore: meaning, definitions and examples

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omnivore

 

[ ษ‘หmหˆnษชvษ”หr ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

diet classification

An omnivore is an organism that has the capability to consume both plant and animal matter. This dietary flexibility allows omnivores to adapt to various habitats and food sources. Omnivores play a crucial role in ecosystems as they help maintain the balance between different trophic levels. Examples of omnivores include humans, bears, and certain species of birds. The term indicates a form of dietary versatility, contrasting with herbivores, which eat only plants, and carnivores, which eat only animals.

Synonyms

mixed feeder, polyphagous, varied eater

Examples of usage

  • Bears are known to be omnivores, eating berries and fish.
  • Humans are classified as omnivores due to our diverse diet.
  • Certain birds, like crows, are omnivores that eat insects and fruits.
  • Pigs are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods.
  • Some reptiles, like turtles, can be considered omnivores.

Translations

Translations of the word "omnivore" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น onรญvoro

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเคฐเฅเคตเคพเคนเคพเคฐเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Allesfresser

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ omnivora

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฒัะตะฒั–ะด

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ wszystkoลผerny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้›‘้ฃŸๆ€งใฎ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท omnivore

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ omnรญvoro

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท herbivor

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์žก์‹์„ฑ์˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุขูƒู„ ูƒู„ ุดูŠุก

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vลกsลพravec

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vลกedลพravec

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ‚้ฃŸๅŠจ็‰ฉ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ vsejedec

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ almennur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะฐั€ะปั‹า“ั‹ะฝ ะถะตะนั‚ั–ะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒแƒ”แƒ แƒ—แƒ แƒ›แƒแƒกแƒแƒœแƒแƒฎแƒฃแƒšแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ”แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ omnivor

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ omnรญvoro

Etymology

The word 'omnivore' originates from the Latin roots 'omni-' meaning 'all' and 'vorare' meaning 'to devour'. The term was coined in the mid-19th century by the naturalist Charles Waterton in his writings on the classifications of animals. The emergence of the term reflects the growing understanding of dietary habits among different species and the recognition of the biological significance of diet in evolutionary biology. Historically, the classification of animals into strictly herbivores and carnivores did not account for the complexities and variations found in nature, prompting the introduction of 'omnivore'. It highlights the adaptability and survival strategies of many species, indicating a more nuanced view of ecological relations.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #38,773, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.