An"i*mal , a. [Cf. F. animal.]
1. Of or
relating to animals; as, animal functions.
2.
Pertaining to the merely sentient part of a creature, as distinguished from the intellectual, rational, or spiritual part; as, the animal passions or
appetites.
3. Consisting of the flesh
of animals; as, animal food.
Animal magnetism. See Magnetism and Mesmerism. -- Animal electricity,
the electricity
developed in some animals, as the electric eel, torpedo, etc. -- Animal flower
(Zoöl.), a name given to
certain marine animals
resembling a flower, as any species of actinia or sea anemone, and other Anthozoa, hydroids, starfishes, etc. -- Animal heat
(Physiol.), the heat
generated in the body of a living animal, by means of which the animal is kept at nearly a uniform temperature. -- Animal spirits. See under Spirit. --
Animal kingdom,
the whole class of beings endowed with animal life. It embraces several subkingdoms, and under these there are Classes, Orders,
Families, Genera, Species,
and sometimes intermediate groupings, all
in regular subordination, but variously arranged by different writers. The following are the grand divisions, or subkingdoms, and the principal classes under them, generally recognized at the present time: --
Vertebrata, including Mammalia or Mammals,
Aves or Birds,
Reptilia, Amphibia, Pisces
or Fishes, Marsipobranchiata (Craniota); and Leptocardia (Acrania).
Tunicata, including the
Thaliacea, and Ascidioidea or
Ascidians.
Articulata or Annulosa, including Insecta, Myriapoda, Malacapoda, Arachnida, Pycnogonida, Merostomata, Crustacea (Arthropoda); and Annelida, Gehyrea (Anarthropoda).
Helminthes or Vermes, including Rotifera, Chætognatha, Nematoidea, Acanthocephala, Nemertina, Turbellaria, Trematoda, Cestoidea, Mesozea.
Molluscoidea, including Brachiopoda and Bryozoa.
Mollusca, including Cephalopoda, Gastropoda, Pteropoda, Scaphopoda, Lamellibranchiata or Acephala.
Echinodermata, including
Holothurioidea, Echinoidea, Asterioidea, Ophiuroidea, and Crinoidea.
Cœlenterata, including Anthozoa or Polyps,
Ctenophora, and
Hydrozoa or
Acalephs.
Spongiozoa or Porifera, including the
sponges.
Protozoa,
including Infusoria and Rhizopoda.
For definitions, see these names in the Vocabulary.
An"i*mal (&?;), n. [L., fr. anima breath, soul: cf. F. animal. See Animate.]
1. An organized living being endowed with sensation and the power of
voluntary motion, and also characterized by taking its
food into an internal cavity or stomach for digestion; by giving carbonic acid to the air and taking oxygen in the process of respiration; and by increasing in motive power or active aggressive force with progress to maturity.
2. One of
the lower animals; a brute or beast, as distinguished from man; as, men and animals.
Hear it pronounced