English Dictionary

animal

/ˈænɪməl/

noun

(sciences) A eukaryote of the clade Animalia; a multicellular organism that is usually mobile, whose cells are not encased in a rigid cell wall (distinguishing it from plants and fungi) and which derives energy solely from the consumption of other organisms (distinguishing it from plants).

The lion is a majestic animal.

意味（1）

(sciences) A eukaryote of the clade Animalia; a multicellular organism that is usually mobile, whose cells are not encased in a rigid cell wall (distinguishing it from plants and fungi) and which derives energy solely from the consumption of other organisms (distinguishing it from plants).

A cat is an animal, not a plant. Humans are also animals, under the scientific definition, as we are not plants.

意味（2）

(loosely) Any member of the kingdom Animalia other than a human.

意味（3）

(loosely, colloquial) Any land-living vertebrate (i.e. not fishes, insects, etc.).

Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. With more settled people, animals were harnessed to capstans or caged in treadmills to turn grist into meal.

意味（4）

(figuratively) A person who behaves wildly; a bestial, brutal, brutish, cruel, or inhuman person.

My students are animals.

意味（5）

(informal) A person of a particular type.

He's a political animal.

意味（6）

Matter, thing.

a whole different animal