fauna

[faw-nuh] /ˈfɔ nə/
noun, plural faunas, faunae
[faw-nee] /ˈfɔ ni/ (Show IPA)
1.
the animals of a given region or period considered as a whole.
2.
a treatise on the animals of a given region or period.
3.
(initial capital letter) Roman Religion, Bona Dea.
Origin
1765-75; < Neo-Latin, special use of Latin Fauna, a feminine counterpart to Faunus; cf. Flora
Related forms
faunal, adjective
faunally, adverb
Examples from the web for fauna
  • The flora and fauna of the land are enormously represented.
  • Most were inspired by the flora and fauna they had spent their lives surrounded by.
  • What they found was, if anything, even more shocking: gliding and flapping fauna appear to have no direct common ancestor.
  • The effects of the brine on the surrounding flora and fauna in the sea depend on the specific marine life in the disposal area.
  • Diabetics have a slightly sweeter skin, which changes the microbial fauna and makes it harder for them to cauterize wounds.
  • Instead of whales, maybe the endangered mega-fauna is us.
  • In a land where vegetation is already scarce, camels are competing with native fauna and livestock.
  • In other words, the panels can provide shade for flora and fauna.
  • Although they could not read or write, they knew the forest with its flora and fauna better than any foreigner.
  • Get up close and personal with migratory fauna of all shapes and sizes in this photo gallery.
British Dictionary definitions for fauna

fauna

/ˈfɔːnə/
noun (pl) -nas, -nae (-niː)
1.
all the animal life of a given place or time, esp when distinguished from the plant life (flora)
2.
a descriptive list of such animals
Derived Forms
faunal, adjective
faunally, adverb
Word Origin
C18: from New Latin, from Late Latin Fauna a goddess, sister of Faunus
Word Origin and History for fauna
n.

1771, collective name for animals of a certain region or time, from Late Latin Fauna, a Roman fertility goddess, wife, sister, or daughter (or some combination thereof) of Faunus (see faun).

Popularized by Linnaeus, who adopted it as a companion word to flora and used it in the title of his 1746 catalogue of the animals of Sweden, "Fauna Suecica." First used in English by naturalist Gilbert White.

fauna in Medicine

fauna fau·na (fô'nə)
n. pl. fau·nas or fau·nae (-nē')
Animals, especially the animals of a particular region or period, considered as a group.

fauna in Science
fauna
  (fô'nə)   
Plural faunas or faunae (fô'nē')
The animals of a particular region or time period.
fauna in Culture
fauna [(faw-nuh)]

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