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 \kär-ˈni-və-rē\ noun