noun
carrion
KA-rih-uhn
noun
1
The decaying flesh of a dead animal.
"Vultures circled above, waiting to feed on the carrion."
"The scent of carrion drew scavengers from miles around."
adj
1
Relating to or consisting of dead, rotting flesh.
"Crows are known as carrion birds because they feed on dead animals."
How to Use Carrion
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe rotting body or flesh of a dead animal.
Common pairings
feed on carrion
carrion birds
a carrion crow
Word Forms
more carrion comparative, carrions plural, most carrion superlative
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Etymology
From Anglo-Norman caroigne, tracing back to Latin caro ("flesh") — the same root that gives us "carnivore" and "incarnate."