carcass

== English == === Alternative forms === carcase === Etymology === Dated from the late 13th Century C.E.; from Anglo-Norman carcois, possibly related to Old French charcois. Cognate with French carcasse. But cf. also Avestan 𐬐𐬀𐬵𐬭𐬐𐬁𐬯𐬀 (kahrkās, “vulture”), and Middle Persian [Book Pahlavi needed] (klkʾs /⁠kargās⁠/, “vulture”), whence Persian کرکس (karkas, “vulture”). === Pronunciation === (General American) IPA(key): /ˈkɑɹkəs/ (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈkɑːkəs/ Rhymes: -ɑː(ɹ)kəs Hyphenation: car‧cass === Noun === carcass (plural carcasses) The body of a dead animal, especially a vertebrate or other animal having flesh. (meat trade) The body of a slaughtered animal, stripped of unwanted viscera, etc. 1961, D. M. Doty, John C. Pierce, Beef Muscle Characteristics as Related to Carcass Grade, Carcass Weight, and Degree of Aging, US Department of Agriculture, Technical Bulletin No. 1231, page 33, Lean flavor scores for this muscle were lower than those for ribeye, especially in Prime grade carcasses. The body of a dead human, a corpse. (now slang) The body of a live person or animal. The framework of a structure, such as a cabinet, especially one not normally seen. (nautical) An early incendiary ship-to-ship projectile consisting of an iron shell filled with saltpetre, sulphur, resin, turpentine, antimony and tallow with vents for flame. ==== Usage notes ==== The form carcase is closer to Middle English spellings (carcays or carkeis). Carcase may be more common in varieties of British English than it is in US English. For instance, in Australia, some newspapers use carcase, while others use carcass. The Australian Dept of Agriculture uses carcase for the sense body of slaughtered animal. ==== Synonyms ==== see Thesaurus:corpse ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === See also === cadaver carrion corpse === References === “carcass”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.