animal

1. (sciences) Any member of the kingdom Animalia of multicellular organisms that are usually mobile, whose cells are not encased in a rigid cell wall (distinguishing them from plants and fungi) and which derive energy solely from the consumption of other organisms (further distinguishing them from plants).Examples: "Humans, like other animals, need air to breathe and food to eat."; "It cannot be denied it [the chameleon] is (if not the moſt of any) a very abſtemious animall, and ſuch as by reaſon of its frigidity, paucity of bloud, and latitancy in the winter (about which time the obſervations are often made) will long ſubſist without a viſible ſuſtentation."Synonyms: creature

2. (loosely) Any member of the kingdom Animalia other than a human.Synonyms: beastbroadly

3. (loosely) A higher animal; an animal related to humans.Examples: "When he's hungry my toddler opens his mouth like an animal instead of asking us to feed him."broadly

4. (loosely) A higher animal; an animal related to humans.Examples: "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."broadlycolloquial

5. (loosely) A higher animal; an animal related to humans.broadly

6. (loosely) A higher animal; an animal related to humans.Examples: "Birds are as popular as animals in the toy kingdom, especially pigeons, owls and domestic hens."; "I spent my summer studying the animals and birds of the two islands."broadly