carnivore
/'kɑ:nivɔ:/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- An animal that feeds primarily on flesh: A carnivore is any organism whose diet consists mainly of meat, obtained through predation or scavenging.
- A mammal of the order Carnivora: In a more specific biological classification, a carnivore is a member of the mammalian order Carnivora, which includes families like cats, dogs, bears, and seals, many of which are flesh-eaters.
Usage Examples
- General meaning (flesh-eating animal):
- The lion is an apex carnivore in its ecosystem.
- Insectivorous plants are sometimes described as botanical carnivores.
- Specific biological meaning (member of order Carnivora):
- Dogs and cats are both familiar carnivores, though their diets can vary.
- Terrestrial carnivores typically have powerful jaws and sharp teeth.
Advanced Usage
- Obligate vs. Facultative Carnivore:
- An obligate carnivore (like a cat) requires a diet of meat to thrive and obtain certain nutrients.
- A facultative carnivore (like a dog) eats meat but can also digest plant material.
Variants and Related Words
- Carnivorous (adjective): Describing the characteristic of eating flesh.
- The Venus flytrap is a carnivorous plant.
- Carnivoran (adjective/noun): Pertaining to or a member of the order Carnivora.
- Seals are carnivoran mammals.
Synonyms
- Predator (especially for animals that hunt live prey).
- Flesh-eater.
- Meat-eater.
Antonyms
- Herbivore: An animal that feeds on plants.
- Omnivore: An animal that eats both plants and meat.
Related Phrases/Idioms
- "At the top of the food chain": This phrase is often associated with apex carnivores, which have no natural predators.
- As the region's primary carnivore, the wolf is at the top of the food chain.
Noun
- any animal that feeds on flesh
- Tyrannosaurus Rex was a large carnivore
- insectivorous plants are considered carnivores
- a terrestrial or aquatic flesh-eating mammal
- terrestrial carnivores have four or five clawed digits on each limb