roofdier
Afrikaans edit
Etymology edit
From Dutch roofdier, which might be a calque of German Raubtier. Equivalent to roof (“to rob, to capture”) + dier (“animal”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
roofdier (plural roofdiere, diminutive roofdiertjie)
- A predator
Dutch edit
Etymology edit
From roven (“to rob, to capture”) + dier (“animal”), perhaps a calque of German Raubtier. Compare roven.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
roofdier n (plural roofdieren, diminutive roofdiertje n)
- A predatory species, which kills and eats prey. [from early 18th c.]
- A ruthless person, without regard for victims.
- A carnivore, which also includes scavengers.
- A carnivoran, any member of the order Carnivora.