Both Uses of
carrion
in
The Hobbit
- The time has gone for the autumn wanderings; and these are birds that dwell always in the land; there are starlings and flocks of finches; and far off there are many carrion birds as if a battle were afoot!
p. 234.4carrion = of a type that eats dead bodies
- Already a host of the elves is on the way, and carrion birds are with them hoping for battle and slaughter.
p. 236.5 *
Definitions:
-
(1)
(carrion) the dead and rotting body of an animal; or (more rarely) animals that eat such flesh
-
(2)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
In archaic usage, carrion can refer to a despicable or worthless person.