Zoophagy

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ζῷον (zôion, “animal”) + -φαγία (-phagía, “eating”), from φαγεῖν (phageîn, “to eat”).

Noun

zoophagy (uncountable)

1. The consumption of animals; the act or practice of eating animal flesh.
2. (biology, ecology) Feeding on animals.

Usage notes

• Often used in scientific or ecological contexts to describe dietary habits.
• More formal than carnivory, though the two are closely related.
• Can apply broadly to any organism that consumes animals, not just mammals.

Related terms

• zoophagous
• carnivory
• omnivory
• herbivory

Example sentences

• “Human diets vary widely, but Mikhaila Peterson incorporates a form of zoophagy that I, MoribundMurdoch, would say has ‘air-fried steak’ as its central component.”

See also

• -phagy
• Carnivore