Etymology
wild from Middle English wild, wilde, from Old English wilde, from Proto-West Germanic *wilþī, from Proto-Germanic *wilþijaz, from Proto-Indo-European *wel- (“hair, wool, grass, ear (of corn), forest”) + life from Middle English lyf, from Old English līf, from Proto-West Germanic *līb, from Proto-Germanic *lībą (“life, body”), from *lībaną (“to remain, stay, be left”), from Proto-Indo-European *leyp- (“to stick, glue”).
Noun
wildlife (uncountable)
- Animals, plants, and fungi, not normally domesticated, often to the exclusion of plants, fungi, fish, insects, and other invertebrates, and microscopic plants and animals.
- This town offers wildlife tours where you can go and watch the bears, deer, wild rabbits and other creatures in their natural habitats.
- (in particular) Wild animals (especially to the exclusion of fish).
Credits
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