■ noun
1》 a living organism which is typically distinguished from a plant by feeding on organic matter, having specialized sense organs and nervous system, and being able to move about and to respond rapidly to stimuli.
↘a mammal, as opposed to a bird, reptile, fish, or insect.
2》 a very cruel, violent, or uncivilized person.
3》 a particular type of person or thing: a political ~.
■ adjective
1》 relating to or characteristic of ~s.
2》 of the flesh rather than the spirit or intellect: ~ lust.
3》 Biology denoting the pole or extremity of an embryo containing the more active cytoplasm. The opposite of vegetal .
Derivatives
~ization or ~isation noun
~ize or ~ise verb
Origin
ME: from L., based on ~is 'having breath' from anima 'breath'.