(ˈ)kär|niv(ə)rəs, -ȧ|n- adjective
Etymology: Latin carnivorus, from carni- (from carn-, caro flesh) + -vorus -vorous — more at carnal
1. of an animal : eating flesh
the dog is a typical carnivorous mammal
: subsisting or feeding on animal tissues
many larval insects are carnivorous
: zoophagous
the carnivorous hunting spiders
— compare herbivorous , omnivorous
2. of a plant : subsisting on nutrients obtained from the breakdown of animal protoplasm — compare phytophagous
3. : of or relating to the Carnivora
4. anthropology : having a slender body build and a short small intestine — opposed to herbivorous and nearly equivalent to ectomorphic
• car·niv·o·rous·ly adverb
• car·niv·o·rous·ness noun -es
• car·niv·o·ry ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷vərē noun -es