animal: Meaning and Definition of

an•i•mal

Pronunciation: (an'u-mul), [key]
— n.
  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?
—adj.
  1. of, pertaining to, or derived from animals: animal instincts; animal fats.
  2. pertaining to the physical, sensual, or carnal nature of humans, rather than their spiritual or intellectual nature: animal needs.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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