carcass

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The body of a dead animal, especially a vertebrate or other animal having flesh.
  2. The body of a slaughtered animal, stripped of unwanted viscera, etc.
  3. The body of a dead human, a corpse.
  4. The body of a live person or animal.
  5. The framework of a structure, such as a cabinet, especially one not normally seen.
  6. An early incendiary ship-to-ship projectile consisting of an iron shell filled with saltpetre, sulphur, resin, turpentine, antimony and tallow with vents for flame.

Pronunciation

/ˈkɑɹkəs/ /ˈkɑːkəs/ en-us-carcass.ogg

Word forms

carcass carcasses carcase

Etymology

Dated from the late 13th Century C.E.; from Anglo-Norman carcois, possibly related to Old French charcois. Cognate with French carcasse. But cf. also Avestan 𐬐𐬀𐬵𐬭𐬐𐬁𐬯𐬀 (kahrkās, “vulture”), and Middle Persian [Book Pahlavi needed] (klkʾs /⁠kargās⁠/, “vulture”), whence Persian کرکس (karkas, “vulture”).

Synonyms

Related words

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