warm-blooded
/'wɔ:m,blʌdid/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective 1. Having a constant, internally regulated body temperature: Describes animals (mammals and birds) that maintain a stable, warm body temperature regardless of the external environment. This is a biological characteristic. 2. Passionate or ardent: Used figuratively to describe a person who is enthusiastic, emotional, or fervent in their feelings or actions.
Usage and Examples
- Literal (Biological):
- Mammals and birds are warm-blooded animals.
- Unlike reptiles, a warm-blooded creature needs to eat more frequently to fuel its internal heating system.
- Figurative (Describing People):
- She gave a warm-blooded performance that moved the entire audience.
- He is known for his warm-blooded and generous nature.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in contrast to "cold-blooded" (ectothermic), which describes animals like reptiles and fish whose body temperature changes with their surroundings.
- In figurative use, it implies a capacity for strong, lively emotion, as opposed to being cold, detached, or unfeeling.
Variants and Related Words
- Warm-bloodedness (noun): The quality or state of being warm-blooded.
- The evolution of warm-bloodedness was a major step for mammals.
- Endothermic (adjective, scientific synonym): Technically meaning "heat from within," often used interchangeably with "warm-blooded" in biology.
Synonyms
- Literal: Endothermic, homeothermic.
- Figurative: Passionate, ardent, fervent, emotional, spirited, enthusiastic.
Antonyms
- Literal: Cold-blooded, ectothermic, poikilothermic.
- Figurative: Cold, unfeeling, detached, apathetic, dispassionate.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To be warm-blooded: Used to state the characteristic.
- As a human, you are naturally warm-blooded.
- Figuratively, the word itself functions like an idiom when applied to people, suggesting a "hot" or lively temperament.
Adjective
- having warm blood (in animals whose body temperature is internally regulated)