Word: carrion Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The noun is derived from Middle English caroyne (“corpse, carrion, something disgusting”), borrowed from Anglo-Norman careine, caroigne, charogne, and Old French charoigne, Northern Old French caˈronië, caroine, caroigne (modern French charogne), probably from Vulgar Latin *carōnia, from Latin caro (“flesh”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“to cut off, sever; to divide, separate”)) + -ia (suffix forming nouns). Doublet of crone. The regular modern English form would be *carren, *carron /ˈkæɹən/ (this is found dialectally; see similar kyarn); the intervening /i/ is either a hypercorrection based on the analogy of words like merlin/merlion or, more likely, represents metathesis of the last element of the diphthong in caroyne. The adjective is derived from the noun. Pronunciation: /ˈkæɹ.ɪ.ən/, /ˈkɛɹ.i.ən/, /ˈkæɹ.ən/ 1. Rotting flesh of a dead animal or person. Labels: uncountable, usually Example: Vultures feed on carrion. Example: [W]ee ſee by experience, that ſome [brute beasts] feedeth on yͤ graſſe in yͤ fyelds ſome liues in the ayre eating flyes, others vpon yͤ wormes in carin, others wͭ [with] that they fynd vnder the water. 2. Corrupt or horrid matter. Labels: figuratively, uncountable, usually Example: [T]here are melancholy sceptics with a taste for carrion who batten on the hideous facts in history,—persecutions, inquisitions, St. Bartholomew massacres, devilish lives, […] Example: Roman fashionable society hated Cæsar, and any carrion was welcome to them which would taint his reputation. 3. Filth, garbage. Labels: figuratively, obsolete, uncountable, usually 4. The flesh of a living human body; also (Christianity), sinful human nature. Labels: derogatory, figuratively, obsolete, uncountable, usually Example: Shy[lock]. My ovvne fleſh and blood to rebell. / Salan[io]. Out vpon it old carrion, rebels it as theſe yeares. 5. A dead body; a carcass, a corpse. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable, usually Example: [T]hey looked like anatomies of death, they spake like ghosts crying out of their graves; they did eate the dead carrions, happy where they could finde them, yea, and one another soone after, insomuch as the very carcasses they spared not to scrape out of their graves; […] Example: [T]here is here a perpetual Garriſon of Engliſh, but they are of Engliſh Dogs, vvhich are let out in the night to guard the Ships, and eat the Carrens up and dovvn the Streets, and ſo they are ſhut up again in the Morning. 6. An animal which is in poor condition or worthless; also, an animal which is a pest or vermin. Labels: countable, figuratively, obsolete, uncountable, usually Example: [L]ords will by their wils / Rather haue one wodcock, than a thouſand dawſe. / Wodcocks ar meate, daws ar carren, wey this clauſe. / In dede ſir (ſaid the daw) I muſt needes agree, / Lords loue to eate you, and not to eate mee. Example: Let carren and barren, be ſhifted awaie, / for beſt is the beſt, whatſoeuer ye paie. 7. A contemptible or worthless person. Labels: countable, derogatory, figuratively, obsolete, uncountable, usually Example: And vvhat other Oath, / Then Honeſty to Honeſty ingag'd, / That this ſhall be, or vve vvill fall for it. / Svveare Prieſts and Covvards, and men Cautelous / Old feeble Carrions, and ſuch ſuffering Soules / That vvelcome vvrongs: […] Example: […] Pegg Kite, […] will be, I doubt, a troublesome carrion to us executors; but if she will not be ruled, I shall fling up my executorship.