fauna

[ faw-nuh ]
/ ˈfɔ nə /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR fauna ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural fau·nas, fau·nae [faw-nee] /ˈfɔ ni/.

the animals of a given region or period considered as a whole.
a treatise on the animals of a given region or period.
(initial capital letter) Roman Religion. Bona Dea.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

Did you collect all of last week’s words, but eftsoons forget what they mean? Don’t worry, we’re here to jog your memory. See how many words from the week of May 18 to 24 you can get right!
Question 1 of 7
weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of fauna

1765–75; < New Latin, special use of Latin Fauna, a feminine counterpart to Faunus; cf. Flora

OTHER WORDS FROM fauna

fau·nal, adjectivefau·nal·ly, adverb

Words nearby fauna

faultfinding, faultless, faulty, faulty union, faun, fauna, faunistic, fauns, fauntleroy suit, faunula, faunus

Definition for fauna (2 of 2)

Bona Dea
[ boh-nuh dee-uh, dey-uh ]
/ ˈboʊ nə ˈdi ə, ˈdeɪ ə /

noun

an ancient Roman goddess of chastity and fertility.
Also called Fauna.

Origin of Bona Dea

< Latin: literally, (the) Good Goddess
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to fauna

animality, Animalia

Example sentences from the Web for fauna

British Dictionary definitions for fauna

fauna
/ (ˈfɔːnə) /

noun plural -nas or -nae (-niː)

all the animal life of a given place or time, esp when distinguished from the plant life (flora)
a descriptive list of such animals

Derived forms of fauna

faunal, adjectivefaunally, adverb

Word Origin for fauna

C18: from New Latin, from Late Latin Fauna a goddess, sister of Faunus
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for fauna

fauna
[ fô′nə ]

n. pl. fau•nas

Animals, especially the animals of a particular region or period, considered as a group.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for fauna

fauna
[ fô′nə ]

Plural faunas faunae (fô′nē′)

The animals of a particular region or time period.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for fauna

fauna
[ (faw-nuh) ]

Animals, especially the animals of a particular place and time.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.