First Known Use: 1592
Dictionary
carnivorous
adjective car·niv·o·rous \kär-ˈni-v(ə-)rəs\
Definition of CARNIVOROUS
1
: subsisting or feeding on animal tissues
2
of a plant : subsisting on nutrients obtained from the breakdown of animal protoplasm (as of insects)
3
: of or relating to the carnivores
4
— car·niv·o·rous·ly adverb
— car·niv·o·rous·ness noun
— car·niv·ory \kär-ˈni-və-rē\ noun
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Origin of CARNIVOROUS
Latin carnivorus, from carn-, caro + -vorus -vorous
Other Ecology Terms
Rhymes with CARNIVOROUS
CARNIVOROUSNESS Defined for Kids
carnivorous
adjective car·niv·o·rous \kär-ˈni-və-rəs\
Definition of CARNIVOROUS for Kids
: feeding on animal flesh or tissue <Wolves are carnivorous animals.>
Word Root of CARNIVOROUS
The Latin word vorāre, meaning “to eat greedily,” gives us the root vor. Words from the Latin vorāre have something to do with eating. An herbivorous animal eats only plants. A carnivorous animal eats only other animals. To devour is to eat up greedily. Anyone voracious likes to eat a lot.
Medical Dictionary
carnivorous
adjective car·niv·o·rous \kär-ˈniv-(ə-)rəs\
Medical Definition of CARNIVOROUS
1
: subsisting or feeding on animal tissues
2
: of or relating to the carnivores
—car·niv·o·rous·ly adverb
—car·niv·o·rous·ness noun
Learn More About CARNIVOROUS
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