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animalian

 - 4 dictionary results

an⋅i⋅mal

  [an-uh-muhl]
Use animalian in a Sentence
–noun
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?
–adjective
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.
Origin:
1300–50; ME (< OF) < L, n. deriv. (with loss of final vowel and shortening of ā) of animāle, neut. of animālis living, animate, equiv. to anim(a) air, breath + -ālis -al 1 ; E adj. also directly < L animālis

Related forms:
an⋅i⋅mal⋅ic  [an-uh-mal-ik] , an⋅i⋅ma⋅li⋅an  [an-uh-mey-lee-uhn, -meyl-yuhn] , adjective

Synonyms:
1, 2. Animal, beast, brute refer to sentient creatures as distinct from minerals and plants; figuratively, they usually connote qualities and characteristics below the human level. Animal is the general word; figuratively, it applies merely to the body or to animal-like characteristics: An athlete is a magnificent animal. Beast refers to four-footed animals; figuratively, it suggests a base, sensual nature: A glutton is a beast. Brute implies absence of ability to reason; figuratively, it connotes savagery as well: a drunken brute. 5. monster. 8. fleshly, physical; beastly, brutal. See carnal.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: 2animal
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or derived from animals
2 : of or relating to the animal pole of anegg or to the part from which ectoderm normally develops
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

animal an·i·mal (ān'ə-məl)
n.

  1. 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.

  2. An animal organism other than a human, especially a mammal.

  3. A human considered with respect to his or her physical, as opposed to spiritual, nature.

adj.

  1. Relating to, characteristic of, or derived from an animal or animals.

  2. Relating to the physical as distinct from the spiritual nature of humans.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
animal   (ān'ə-məl)  Pronunciation Key 
Any of the multicellular organisms belonging to the kingdom Animalia. All animals are eukaryotes, with each of their cells having a nucleus containing DNA. Most animals develop from a blastula and have a digestive tract, nervous system, the ability to move voluntarily, and specialized sensory organs for recognizing and responding to stimuli in the environment. Animals are heterotrophs, feeding on plants, other animals, or organic matter. The first animals probably evolved from protists and appeared during the Precambrian Era.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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