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EN
animal
Definitions
1
noun
A
living
organism
that
feeds
on
organic
matter
,
typically
having
specialized
sense
organs
and
nervous
system
and
able
to
respond
rapidly
to
stimuli
.
The
lion
is
a
wild
animal
found
in
Africa
.
Humans
are
considered
animals
because
they
share
many
biological
characteristics
with
other
species
.
The
zoo
houses
a
variety
of
animals
from
around
the
world
.
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Word Origin
Language
Latin
Original word
animalis
Word parts
anima (soul, breath) + -alis (pertaining to)
Originally meant
pertaining to the soul or breath
Background
The word 'animal' comes from the Latin 'animalis', which means 'having breath' or 'living being'. It entered the English language in the late Middle Ages.