[an-uh-muh
l] 
| 1. | any member of the kingdom Animalia, comprising multicellular organisms that have a well-defined shape and usually limited growth, can move voluntarily, actively acquire food and digest it internally, and have sensory and nervous systems that allow them to respond rapidly to stimuli: some classification schemes also include protozoa and certain other single-celled eukaryotes that have motility and animallike nutritional modes. |
| 2. | any such living thing other than a human being. |
| 3. | a mammal, as opposed to a fish, bird, etc. |
| 4. | the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of human beings; animality: the animal in every person. |
| 5. | an inhuman person; brutish or beastlike person: She married an animal. |
| 6. | thing: A perfect job? Is there any such animal? |
| 7. | of, pertaining to, or derived from animals: animal instincts; animal fats. |
| 8. | pertaining to the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of humans, rather than their spiritual or intellectual nature: animal needs. |
[an-uh-mal-ik] , an⋅i⋅ma⋅li⋅an [an-uh-mey-lee-uhn, -meyl-yuhn] , adjective | an·i·mal (ān'ə-məl) n.
[Middle English, from Latin, from animāle, neuter of animālis, living, from anima, soul; see anə- in Indo-European roots.] |
animal
|
animals
animal an·i·mal (ān'ə-məl)
n.
A multicellular organism with membranous cell walls of the kingdom Animalia, differing from plants in certain typical characteristics such as capacity for locomotion, nonphotosynthetic metabolism, pronounced response to stimuli, restricted growth, and fixed bodily structure.
An animal organism other than a human, especially a mammal.
A human considered with respect to his or her physical, as opposed to spiritual, nature.
Relating to, characteristic of, or derived from an animal or animals.
Relating to the physical as distinct from the spiritual nature of humans.
