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Glite Dictionary
necrophagy

necrophagy

9.9
Eating dead animals for food
  • noun
  • /nɛkˈrɒfədʒi/
  • NSFW
: necrofagia
  • Vultures are often seen feeding on carcasses, a clear example of necrophagy in nature.

Examples

  • Many beetles and flies practice necrophagy as part of the natural decomposition process.

  • Vultures engage in necrophagy to survive.

  • The study of necrophagy is important in understanding nutrient cycles in ecosystems.

  • Vultures are known for their specialized adaptation to necrophagy.

  • The study of necrophagy reveals much about ecosystems.

  • Many insects, such as certain beetles, exhibit necrophagy by consuming decaying organic matter.

  • Researchers study necrophagy to learn more about how ecosystems recycle nutrients.

Synonyms

necrophagia
vsnecrophagy
  • NSFW
1 9.9

Eating dead animals, often by birds or insects

has identical meaning but is a variant spelling used for the same act

Surface Forms

necrophagy singular
necrophagies plural

Morphology

necrophagy = necro + phagy

Formed from Greek combining forms 'necro-' (dead) and '-phagy' (eating) that are not standalone English words and thus not easily decodable by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word necrophagy comes from the parts necro- meaning 'dead' and -phagy meaning 'eating', so it literally means 'eating the dead'. That's why the word is used for animals or insects that feed on dead bodies.