n. & adj. --n. 1 a living organism which feeds on organic matter, usu. one with specialized sense-organs and nervous system, and able to respond rapidly to stimuli. 2 such an organism other than man. 3 a brutish or uncivilized person. 4 colloq. a person or thing of any kind (there is no such animal). --adj. 1 characteristic of animals. 2 of animals as distinct from vegetables (animal charcoal). 3 characteristic of the physical needs of animals; carnal, sensual. Phrases and idioms animal husbandry the science of breeding and caring for farm animals. animal magnetism hist. mesmerism. animal spirits natural exuberance. Etymology: L f. animale neut. of animalis having breath f. anima breath ...
Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference
I. noun Etymology: Latin, from ~e, neuter of ~is animate, from anima soul — more at animate Date: 14th century 1. any of a kingdom (Animalia) of living things including many-celled organisms and often many of the single-celled ones (as protozoans) that typically differ from plants in having cells without cellulose walls, in lacking chlorophyll and the capacity for photosynthesis, in requiring more complex food materials (as proteins), in being organized to a greater degree of complexity, and in having the capacity for spontaneous movement and rapid motor responses to stimulation 2. a. one of the lower ~s as distinguished from human beings b. mammal; broadly vertebrate 3. a human being considered chiefly as physical or nonrational; also this nature 4. a person with a particular interest or aptitude a political ~ 5. matter, thing the theater…is an entirely different ~ — Arthur Miller; also creature 1c • ~like adjective II. adjective Date: 1615 1. of, relating to, resembling, or derived from ~s 2. a. of or relating to the physical or sentient as contrasted with the intellectual or rational b. sensual, fleshly 3. of or relating to the ~ pole of an egg or to the part from which ectoderm normally develops Synonyms: see carnal • ~ly adverb ...
(animals) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. An animal is a living creature such as a dog, lion, or rabbit, rather than a bird, fish, insect, or human being. He was attacked by wild animals... He had a real knowledge of animals, birds and flowers. N-COUNT 2. Any living creature other than a human being can be referred to as an animal. Language is something which fundamentally distinguishes humans from animals. ...a habitat for plants and animals. N-COUNT 3. Any living creature, including a human being, can be referred to as an animal. Watch any young human being, or any other young animal. N-COUNT 4. Animal products come from animals rather than from plants. The illegal trade in animal products continues to flourish... ADJ ...
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary
~1 n 1 a living creature such as a dog or cat, that is not an insect, plant, fish, or person (farm animals | animal welfare/rights etc) (campaigning for animal rights | animal products/protein/fats etc (=things that are made or come from animals)) 2 any living creature that is not a plant, including people (Man is a highly intelligent animal.) 3 informal someone who behaves in a cruel, violent, or very rude way (These football hooligans are just animals.) 4 a very/completely different animal informal something that is very different from the thing you have mentioned (Communism in North Korea is a very different animal from the Eastern European model.) 5 a political/social animal etc informal someone who is interested in politics, in meeting other people etc ~2 adj only before noun animal urges/instincts etc human feelings, desires etc that are connected with sex, food, and other basic needs ...
- 1541 (but rare before end of 16c., and not in K.J.V.), L. animale, neut. of animalis "living being, being which breathes," from anima "breath, soul," from PIE *ane- "to breathe." Drove out the older beast in common usage. ...