[lowercase] In general, carnivorous animals; animals that feed on flesh.In Cuvier's system of classification, the carnivorous mammals proper; the Carnaria or Carnassia of Cuvier without the Insectivora, the Chiroptera, and the carnivorous Marsupialia, forming the third family of his Carnaria, and divided into the tribes Plantigrada, Digitigrada, and Amphibia (or Pinnigrada, the seals, etc.).In entomology, in Latreille's system, the first family of pentamerous Coleoptera, or beetles: synonymous with Adephaga.