Definition of "animal"

animal¹

/ˈæn.ɪ.məl/

noun
plural animals
1. (sciences) Any eukaryote of the clade Animalia; a multicellular organism that is usually mobile, whose cells are not encased in a rigid cell wall (distinguishing it from plants and fungi) and which derives energy solely from the consumption of other organisms (distinguishing it from plants).
  Quotations
  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.
  1650, Thomas Browne, “Of the Cameleon”, in Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], 2nd edition, London: […] A[braham] Miller, for Edw[ard] Dod and Nath[aniel] Ekins, […], 3rd book, page 133
2. (strictly) Any member of the kingdom Animalia other than a human.
3. (colloquial) Any land-living nonhuman vertebrate (i.e. not fishes, insects, etc.).
  Quotations
  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.
  2013 July-August, Henry Petroski, “Geothermal Energy”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 4
4. (figuratively) A person who behaves wildly; a bestial, brutal, brutish, cruel, or inhuman person.
  Quotations
  Own me, I'll let you play the roleI'll be your animal
  2019, “Bad Guy”, Finneas O'Connell, Billie Eilish O'Connell (lyrics), performed by Billie Eilish
5. (informal) A person of a particular type specified by an adjective.
6. Matter, thing.

animal²

/ˈæn.ɪ.məl/

adjective
not comparable
1. Of or relating to animals.
2. Raw, base, unhindered by social codes.
3. Pertaining to the spirit or soul; relating to sensation or innervation.
  Quotations
  To explain what activated the flesh, ‘animal spirits’ were posited, superfine fluids which shuttled between the mind and the vitals, conveying messages and motion.
  2003, Roy Porter, Flesh in the Age of Reason, Penguin, published 2004, page 47
4. (slang, Ireland) Excellent