fauna

fau·na

noun \ˈfȯ-nə, ˈfä-\

plural faunas also fau·nae \-ˌnē, -ˌnī\

Definition of FAUNA

: animal life; especially : the animals characteristic of a region, period, or special environment — compare flora

— fau·nal \-n^əl\ adjective

— fau·nal·ly adverb

Examples of FAUNA

1. studying the diverse fauna of the island
2. studying the faunas of different islands

Origin of FAUNA

New Latin, from Latin Fauna, sister of Faunus

First Known Use: 1771

Other Zoology Terms

altruism, integument

Rhymes with FAUNA

anna, bwana, donna, Ghana, mana, Yana

fau·na

noun \ˈfȯn-ə, ˈfän-\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; faunasalso ; fau·nae \-ˌē, -ˌī\ (audio pronunciation) (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of FAUNA

: animal life; especially : the animals characteristic of a region, period, or special environment—compare flora 1

—fau·nal \-^əl\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

—fau·nal·ly \-^əl-ē\ (audio pronunciation) adverb

fauna

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

All the species of animals found in a particular region, period, or special environment. Five faunal realms, based on terrestrial animal species, are generally recognized: Holarctic, including Nearactic (North America) and Paleartic (Eurasia and northern Africa); Paleotropical (tropical Africa and Southeast Asia); Neotropical (Central and South America); Australian; and Antarctic.