Omnivorous
/ˌɑːm.nɪˈvɔːr.əs/noun
Feeding on both plants and animals.
Did you know?In ancient cultures, being omnivorous was believed to indicate adaptability and survival skills, linking the eater to the cycles of nature and the cosmos.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
omnivorus
“all-eating, all-devouring”
17th Century
Latin
omnivorus
“applied to animals that consume both plants and flesh”
18th Century
English
omnivorous
“describing organisms that eat a variety of foods”
19th Century
English
omnivorous
“used in broader contexts including humans' dietary habits”
Modern English
English
omnivorous
“commonly used to describe dietary patterns in ecology and nutrition.”
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