granivore
|gran-i-vore|
C2
🇺🇸
/ˈɡreɪnɪvɔr/
🇬🇧
/ˈɡreɪnɪvɔː/
grain eater
Etymology
Etymology Information
'granivore' originates from Latin (via Neo-Latin), specifically the words 'granum' and 'vorare', where 'granum' meant 'grain' and 'vorare' meant 'to devour'.
Historical Evolution
'granivore' was formed from Neo-Latin/Latin-derived elements such as 'granivorus' (combining 'granum' + '-vorus') and eventually entered modern English as 'granivore'.
Meaning Changes
Initially it literally meant 'grain-devourer', and over time it has come to be used more generally for any animal that eats seeds or grains.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an animal that primarily eats grains or seeds.
Many granivores, such as sparrows and some rodents, rely on seeds for most of their diet.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/30 21:53