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Definition of necrophagous in English:

necrophagous

adjective

Zoology Ecology

  • That feeds on dead bodies or decaying animal tissue; characterized by such behaviour.

Pronunciation

necrophagous

/nɪˈkrɒfəɡəs/ /nɛˈkrɒfəɡəs/

Origin

Mid 19th century; earliest use found in William Kirby (1759–1850), entomologist and naturalist. From necro- + -phagous, after scientific Latin necrophagus from Hellenistic Greek νεκροϕάγος from νεκρο- + -ϕάγος.