animal

noun

1. 1

   A multicellular organism of the kingdom Animalia that is usually mobile, with cells that are not encased in a rigid cell wall (distinguishing them from plants and fungi) and derives energy solely from the consumption of other organisms.

   Near-synonym: critter

   Humans, like other animals, need air to breathe and food to eat.

   It cannot be denied it [the chameleon] is (if not the moſt of any) a very abſtemious animall, and ſuch as by reaſon of its frigidity, paucity of bloud, and latitancy in the winter (about which time the obſervations are often made) will long ſubſist without a viſible ſuſtentation.

2. 2

   Any member of the kingdom Animalia other than a human.

3. 3

   A higher animal; an animal related to humans.

   When he's hungry my toddler opens his mouth like an animal instead of asking us to feed him.

4. 4

   A higher animal; an animal related to humans. A tetrapod; a land-dwelling nonhuman vertebrate.

   Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. With more settled people, animals were harnessed to capstans or caged in treadmills to turn grist into meal.

5. 5

   A higher animal; an animal related to humans. A warm-blooded animal; a mammal or bird.

6. 6

   A higher animal; an animal related to humans. A non-human mammal.

   I spent my summer studying the animals and birds of the two islands.

   Birds are as popular as animals in the toy kingdom, especially pigeons, owls and domestic hens.

   “Long Story Short,” a new animated series from Raphael Bob-Waksberg with art by Lisa Hanawalt, trades the talking animals for kvetching humans.

7. 7

   figurativeA person who behaves wildly; a bestial, brutal, brutish, cruel, or inhuman person.

   My students are animals.

   Own me, I'll let you play the role I'll be your animal

   She speculated that things could deteriorate later: “I think they’re scared of the English, which is fair; we are animals.”

8. 8

   figurativeA person who overeats or eats rapidly and noisily.

9. 9

   informalA person of a particular type specified by an adjective.

   He's a political animal.

10. 10

    informalMatter, thing.

    a whole different animal

    no such animal

adjective

1. 1

   Of or relating to animals.

   animal instincts

   The season has been most unfavourable to animal life; and I, who am merely animal, have suffered much by it.

   […]—according to Sanssure, Abbé Fortis, Bruckenman, Jameson, Dr. Richardson, &c. &c. both animal and vegetal remains have been detected in Basalt and Wacke.

   The body was covered with soft hair, and though undoubtedly human, it was very animal in its instincts and ways.

2. 2

   Raw, base, unhindered by social codes.

   animal passions

   But the line also distills pop culture’s big commandment about sex to its animal essence: If you’re not screwing somebody, you’re nobody.

3. 3

   Pertaining to the spirit or soul; relating to sensation or innervation.

   To explain what activated the flesh, ‘animal spirits’ were posited, superfine fluids which shuttled between the mind and the vitals, conveying messages and motion.

4. 4

   slangExcellent.

Forms

plural

animals