Topic: ANIMALS
 |
| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | animalis 'having life', from anima 'soul' |
| |||||||||
an‧i‧mal1 S1 W1
[countable]
[countable]1HBA a living creature such as a dog or cat, that is not an insect, plant, bird, fish, or person : 
furry little animalsThe cosmetics have not been tested on animals.
furry little animalsThe cosmetics have not been tested on animals.2 any living creature that is not a plant or a person : the animal welfare movement in Britain
the animal welfare movement in Britain3HBA any living creature, including people : Man is a highly intelligent animal.
Man is a highly intelligent animal.4 informal someone who behaves in a cruel, violent, or very rude way : Football hooligans are just animals.
Football hooligans are just animals.5 something that is very different from the thing you have mentioned : Writing e-mail is a very different animal from all other forms of writing.
a (very/completely/entirely) different animal
informalWriting e-mail is a very different animal from all other forms of writing.6 someone who is interested in politics, in meeting other people etc : He is simply not a social animal.
a political/social animal etc
informalHe is simply not a social animal.