Return to the home page.

Expand/collapse menu.

Visit Our Sites

Unabridged Dictionary

Learner's Dictionary

Word Central for Kids

Collegiate Dictionary

Expand/collapse menu.

Premium Services

Unabridged Dictionary

Collegiate Dictionary

Encyclopedia Britannica

Institutional Subscriptions

Expand/collapse menu.

Expand/collapse menu.

Word of the Day

Subscriber Help

Expand/collapse menu.

More Word Games

Daily Crosswords

Expand/collapse menu.

Open Dictionary

Alphabetical Browse

Browse Categories

Submit an Entry

Expand/collapse menu.

Spelling Bee Hive

Hive Headquarters

Spelling Champion

Spelling Reform

Expand/collapse menu.

Word for the Wise

Today's Broadcast

Expand/collapse menu.

Books and CD-Roms

Online Services

Palm and Pocket PC

Expand/collapse menu.

Looking Up a Word

Citing the Dictionary

Audio Pronunciations

Word Games Help

Expand/collapse menu.

Merriam-Webster FAQ

Advertising Info

Copyright Notice

Also Visit:
Unabridged

Visual
ESL:
Learner's
for Kids:
Spell It!
Word Central

carnivorous

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

carnivorous

Main Entry:: car·niv·o·rous
Pronunciation:: \kär-ˈni-v(ə-)rəs\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: Latin carnivorus, from carn-, caro + -vorus -vorous
Date:: 1592

1: subsisting or feeding on animal tissues2of a plant : subsisting on nutrients obtained from the breakdown of animal protoplasm (as of insects)3: of or relating to the carnivores4: rapacious

— car·niv·o·rous·ly adverb

— car·niv·o·rous·ness noun

— car·niv·ory

Listen to the pronunciation of carnivory

\kär-ˈni-və-rē\ noun

Learn more about "carnivorous" and related topics at Britannica.com

Find Jobs in Your City

Pronunciation Symbols