Main Entry: ¹an·i·mal

Pronunciation: \ˈa-nə-məl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Latin, from animale, neuter of animalis animate, from anima soul — more at animate

Date: 14th century

1 : any of a kingdom (Animalia) of living things including many-celled organisms and often many of the single-celled ones (as protozoans) that typically differ from plants in having cells without cellulose walls, in lacking chlorophyll and the capacity for photosynthesis, in requiring more complex food materials (as proteins), in being organized to a greater degree of complexity, and in having the capacity for spontaneous movement and rapid motor responses to stimulation
2 a : one of the lower animals as distinguished from human beings b : mammal; broadly : vertebrate
3 : a human being considered chiefly as physical or nonrational; also : this nature
4 : a person with a particular interest or aptitude <a political animal>
5 : matter, thing <the theater…is an entirely different animal — Arthur Miller>; also : creature 1c

— an·i·mal·like \-mə(l)-ˌlīk\ adjective