Pronunciation: [kˈɑːkəs] (IPA) 
The word "carcass" is often spelled incorrectly as "carcas" or "carcus." The correct spelling is /ˈkɑːrkəs/, with a double "c" and double "s." This is because the word originates from French "carcasse," meaning "body of an animal," and in French, the double "c" and "s" are used to indicate a hard "k" and a soft "s" sound, respectively. Proper spelling is essential for effective communication and professional writing.
Carcass, noun:
1. The dead body of an animal, especially one that has been slaughtered or has died naturally. It typically refers to the remains of larger animals such as mammals and birds, and often includes the bones, flesh, and internal organs that are left after the animal's death.
2. The remains or frame of a structure, vehicle, or machine that has been destroyed or damaged beyond repair. This can include the skeleton or framework of a building, the hull of a ship, or the chassis of a car after a severe accident or fire.
3. In a metaphorical sense, carcass can also refer to something that is lifeless or devoid of vitality. It is used to describe inanimate objects or concepts that are no longer useful, active, or relevant. For example, a business that has failed and is no longer operational can be referred to as a carcass.
4. In the context of hunting or fishing, carcass can refer specifically to the remains of an animal or fish that has been killed and prepared for consumption, usually after the removal of the internal organs.
The term "carcass" is derived from the Old French word "carcosse" and Latin word "carcassum," both meaning "dead body." It has been in use since the 14th century and has retained its essential meaning throughout history.
The dead body of an animal; applied to the living body in contempt; the framework or principal parts of a thing unfinished, as a house.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "carcass" came into Middle English from the Old French term "carcois" or "carcous", which ultimately derived from the Latin word "carcāsus". In Latin, "carcāsus" referred to the remains or corpse of a dead animal, particularly a large animal like a horse or a deer. The Latin term likely derived from the verb "carcere", which meant "to imprison" or "to confine", suggesting the idea of containing or enclosing something, such as a dead body.
