carrion

/ˈkɛriən/

/ˈkæriən/

Other forms: carrions

The noun carrion refers to the dead and rotting flesh of an animal. Ever seen a dead opossum or cat in the road? You can call that roadkill carrion.

The word carrion comes from a Latin word caro, which means "meat," but carrion is usually considered unfit for human consumption. Birds of prey and other opportunistic animals will often have carrion as part of their diet, however. Sometimes the word carrion is used a little more metaphorically: "The soldiers were unable to retrieve the bodies of their fallen brothers, so they were left on the field of battle like so much carrion."

Definitions of carrion

1. noun

   the dead and rotting body of an animal; unfit for human food
   type of:

   body, dead body

   a natural object consisting of a dead animal or person