GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Carrion , n. [OE. caroyne, OF. caroigne, F. charogne, LL. caronia, fr. L. caro flesh Cf. Crone, Crony.]
   The dead and putrefying body or flesh of an animal; flesh so corrupted as to be unfit for food.
   1913 Webster
   They did eat the dead carrions.
   Spenser.
   
   1913 Webster
   A contemptible or worthless person; -- a term of reproach. [Obs.] “Old feeble carrions.” 
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
         
       

2.       
   Carrion, a. Of or pertaining to dead and putrefying carcasses; feeding on carrion.
   1913 Webster
   A prey for carrion kites.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   Carrion beetle (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), 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.
   1913 Webster