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    mammal

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    mammal
    mam‧mal /ˈmæməl/ noun [countable]
     Date: 1800-1900
     Language: Late Latin
     Origin: mammalis 'of the breast', from Latin mamma 'breast'
    a type of animal that drinks milk from its mother’s body when it is young. Humans, dogs, and whales are mammals.
    —mammalian /mæˈmeɪlien/ adjective
         
    THESAURUS
       ▪ animal a living thing such as a dog, cow, or tiger, but not an insect, fish, or bird: farm animals such as cows, sheep, and pigs | People are becoming more concerned about animal welfare.
       ▪ creature /ˈkriːtʃə $ -ər/ an animal – used especially when describing a particular animal’s characteristics or when referring to animals generally: The cheetah is a magnificent creature. | all the living creatures in the sea
       ▪ beast an animal, especially a large or dangerous one: To most people, lions are savage beasts. | a wild beast
       ▪ living thing an animal considered as one of a group of things that grow and then die, including humans and plants: The only living things we saw were dogs and cats.
       ▪ species /ˈspiːʃiːz/ a group of animals whose members are similar and can breed together to produce young animals: Seven species of birds of prey have been observed.
       ▪ mammal an animal that drinks milk from its mother’s body when it is young: Humans, dogs, and whales are all mammals.
       ▪ vertebrate a living creature that has a backbone: viruses that affect chickens, monkeys, and most other vertebrates
       ▪ invertebrate a living creature that does not have a backbone: earthworms and other small invertebrates