Carcass
/ˈkɑːrkəs/
Meaning & Definition
noun
The dead body of an animal, especially one that is slaughtered for food.
The butcher displayed the carcass of a lamb in the window of the shop.
The body of a human after death.
The detectives found the carcass in an abandoned building.
The remains of something that has been destroyed or decayed.
After the fire, only the carcass of the building remained.
Etymology
Derived from Middle French 'carcasse', ultimately from Latin 'carcassa', meaning 'the trunk or body of a dead animal'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
carcass of a vehicle
The frame of a vehicle stripped of its parts.
to smell a carcass
To detect a disagreeable or foul odor.
a carcass left for dead
Something abandoned and considered worthless.
Related Words
corpse
The dead body of a human.
remains
What is left after something is gone or destroyed.
body
The physical structure of a person or animal.
Slang Meanings
Something that is severely damaged or in a state of disrepair.
That old truck is a carcass; it barely runs anymore.
A person who is behaving lethargically or without energy.
After the long meeting, I felt like a carcass just wanting to go home.