sb. pl. Zool. [L. carnivora (sc. animalia) flesh-eating (animals); see CARNIVOROUS.]
A large order of flesh-eating Mammalia, including among others the feline, canine and ursine families. (For a singular, see CARNIVORE.) Also, sometimes applied to orders or groups of other animals, e.g., to a large family of pentamerous beetles.
1831. Bennett, Gard. & Menag. Zool. Soc., I. 99. The most typical group of the Carnivora.
1847. Carpenter, Zool., § 645. The aquatic Carnivora [Beetles] … live during their larva and perfect states in water.
1865. Daily Tel., 7/2. In a land like Hindostan … what a veritable power the great carnivora are.
