adj.
Pronunciation: kär- ' ni-v( ə -)r ə s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin carnivorus, from carn-, caro + -vorus -vorous
Date: 1592
1 : subsisting or feeding on animal tissues
2 of a plant : subsisting on nutrients obtained from the breakdown of animal protoplasm (as of insects)
3 : of or relating to the carnivores
4 : RAPACIOUS
– car · niv · o · rous · ly adverb
– car · niv · o · rous · ness noun
– car · niv · ory \ kär- ' ni-v ə -r ē \ noun