Carnivore
- Pronunciation
- /KAR-nih-vohr/
- Category
- Diet
- Singular
- Carnivore
- Plural
- Carnivores
Definition
An organism that primarily consumes animal flesh.
Etymology
From Latin 'carnivorus', meaning 'flesh-eating', from 'caro' meaning 'flesh' and 'vorare' meaning 'devour'.
Example
Some species of spiders, such as the wolf spider, are carnivores that actively hunt their prey.
Synonyms
- Meat-eater
- Predator
Related Terms
Usage Notes
In entomology and arachnology, 'carnivore' refers to any meat-eating organism, not limited to the order Carnivora.