noun

taxidermy

TAK-sihd-mee

Taxidermy (noun) means the craft of preserving, stuffing, and mounting animal skins so they look lifelike. Example: “The lodge's walls were covered in taxidermy from decades of hunting trips.”

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noun

The craft of preserving, stuffing, and mounting animal skins so they look lifelike.

"The lodge's walls were covered in taxidermy from decades of hunting trips."

verb

To preserve and mount the skin of a dead animal in a lifelike pose.

"He learned to taxidermy birds as a teenager."

How to use taxidermy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe art or craft of preserving dead animals so they look alive for display.

Common pairings

a taxidermy shop practice taxidermy

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

taxidermied past tense, taxidermies plural, taxidermies singular

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The lodge's walls were covered in _____ from decades of hunting trips.

Etymology

From French taxidermie, built from Ancient Greek taxis ("arrangement") and derma ("skin") — literally "the arranging of skin."

Origin: Ancient Greek

Frequently asked questions

What does “taxidermy” mean?

The word “taxidermy” means the craft of preserving, stuffing, and mounting animal skins so they look lifelike. In plain terms, the art or craft of preserving dead animals so they look alive for display.

How do you pronounce “taxidermy”?

“Taxidermy” is pronounced TAK-sihd-mee (/ˈtæksɪdɚmi/ in IPA).

How do you use “taxidermy” in a sentence?

Here is “taxidermy” used in a sentence: “The lodge's walls were covered in taxidermy from decades of hunting trips.”

What part of speech is “taxidermy”?

Depending on how it is used, “taxidermy” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “taxidermy” come from?

The word “taxidermy” comes from Ancient Greek. From French taxidermie, built from Ancient Greek taxis ("arrangement") and derma ("skin") — literally "the arranging of skin.".

How many meanings does “taxidermy” have?

“Taxidermy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the craft of preserving, stuffing, and mounting animal skins so they look lifelike.