CARRION

carrion

(noun) the dead and rotting body of an animal; unfit for human food

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Proper noun

Carrion

A surname.

Etymology

Noun

carrion (usually uncountable, plural carrions)

(mostly, uncountable) Dead flesh; carcasses.

(countable, obsolete, derogatory) A contemptible or worthless person.

Source: Wiktionary

Car"ri*on, n. Etym: [OE. caroyne, OF. caroigne, F. charogne, LL. caronia, fr. L. caro flesh Cf. Crone, Crony.]

1. The dead and putrefying body or flesh of an animal; flesh so corrupted as to be unfit for food. They did eat the dead carrions. Spenser.

2. A contemptible or worthless person; -- a term of reproach. [Obs.] "Old feeble carrions." Shak.

Car"ri*on, a.

Definition: Of or pertaining to dead and putrefying carcasses; feeding on carrion. A prey for carrion kites. Shak. Carrion beetle (Zoöl.), any beetle that feeds habitually on dead animals; -- also called sexton beetle and burying beetle. There are many kinds, belonging mostly to the family Silphidæ.

– Carrion buzzard (Zoöl.), a South American bird of several species and genera (as Ibycter, Milvago, and Polyborus), which act as scavengers. See Caracara.

– Carrion crow, the common European crow (Corvus corone) which feeds on carrion, insects, fruits, and seeds.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition