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carcass

noun

/ˈkɑr kəs/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of carcass

The lifeless body of an animal, typically a mammal or bird, after it has died.
"The vultures gathered around the carcass, ready to feast on its remains."

Detailed meaning of carcass

The term "carcass" emphasizes the state of the body as a mere lifeless shell, devoid of the vitality and animation it once possessed. Carcasses are commonly associated with the remains of animals used for food, such as livestock or game. They can be found in various contexts, including slaughterhouses, butcher shops, or natural habitats. Carcasses play a crucial role in ecological processes, serving as a source of nutrients for scavengers and decomposers, thus contributing to the cycle of life and death. In a broader sense, the term "carcass" can also be used metaphorically to describe the remains or remnants of any deceased organism, including humans. It carries connotations of life's transience and the inevitability of mortality, serving as a reminder of the impermanence and fragility of living beings.

Example sentences containing carcass

1. The hunter examined the deer carcass, assessing its size and condition.
2. The butcher carefully prepared the carcass for meat cuts and packaging.
3. The scavengers left nothing but bones behind after devouring the animal carcass.
4. The researchers studied the carcass to determine the cause of death and gather valuable data.
5. The rotting carcass emitted a pungent odor, attracting flies and other insects.
6. The scavenging hyenas fought over the carcass, each trying to claim the largest portion.

History and etymology of carcass

The noun 'carcass' has its etymological origins in Old French and Latin. It came into English from the Old French word 'carcois,' which meant a dead body or corpse. The Old French term was further influenced by the Latin word 'carcassum,' which also referred to a dead body or the remains of a slaughtered animal. The Latin 'carcassum' likely had its roots in the Celtic languages, emphasizing the long history of animal husbandry and butchery in Europe. In English, 'carcass' describes the lifeless body of an animal, typically a mammal or bird, after it has died. The etymology of 'carcass' underscores the age-old human practice of slaughtering and utilizing animals for various purposes, from food to materials, and the need for a term to refer to the remains of these animals.

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Further usage examples of carcass

1. The sight of the animal carcass served as a reminder of the circle of life and death in the wilderness.
2. The carcass decayed rapidly in the hot sun, becoming an integral part of the ecosystem's nutrient cycle.
3. The forensic team examined the human carcass to gather evidence and determine the time of death.
4. The rangers removed the elephant carcass from the wildlife reserve to prevent further contamination.
5. The artist used the skeletal remains of small animals to create intricate sculptures, transforming carcasses into works of art.
6. The scavengers feasted on the decaying carcass in the wilderness.
7. The vultures circled above the animal carcass on the savanna.
8. The forensic team examined the deer carcass for clues.
9. A decomposing carcass can attract a variety of insects.
10. The hyenas fought over the remains of the zebra carcass.
11. The hunter carefully disposed of the game carcass.
12. The grizzly bear left behind the remnants of its prey's carcass.
13. The biologist studied the whale carcass washed ashore.
14. The buzzards descended upon the roadkill carcass.
15. Scavengers play a vital role in cleaning up animal carcasses.
16. The archaeologist discovered a mammoth carcass in the permafrost.
17. The lioness guarded the wildebeest carcass from other predators.
18. The fox dragged the rabbit carcass to its den.
19. The poacher left behind the rhino's mutilated carcass.
20. The smell of the decaying carcass was overpowering.
21. The naturalist photographed the rare bird's carcass for documentation.
22. The bear gnawed at the salmon carcass by the river.
23. The rancher disposed of the livestock carcass safely.
24. The researchers found a well-preserved dinosaur carcass.
25. The buzzard's beak was stained from scavenging on the deer carcass.