blood meal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 (Specialized)Technical (Agricultural/Entomological), occasionally literary.
Quick answer
What does “blood meal” mean?
A dry, powdered fertilizer made from the blood of slaughtered animals, primarily used as a high-nitrogen soil amendment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dry, powdered fertilizer made from the blood of slaughtered animals, primarily used as a high-nitrogen soil amendment.
In entomology, a blood meal refers to the blood ingested by a female mosquito or other hematophagous insect. It can also metaphorically describe a situation of intense conflict or violence, though this is rare.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. The product is slightly more common in UK organic gardening circles.
Connotations
Neutral in technical contexts. Can evoke mild unease in general discourse due to its origin.
Frequency
Low-frequency term in both varieties, restricted to specific domains.
Grammar
How to Use “blood meal” in a Sentence
[Farmer/Gardener] + applies + blood meal + to + [soil/plants][Soil] + is amended + with + blood meal[Insect] + takes + a blood meal + from + [host]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blood meal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the horticulture/agriculture supply industry. 'Our quarterly order for blood meal has increased.'
Academic
Used in agriculture, entomology, and ecology papers. 'The decomposition rate of blood meal was measured.' 'Post blood meal, the female mosquito enters a resting phase.'
Everyday
Rare. Used by gardeners. 'I'm going to add some blood meal to the tomato plants.'
Technical
Precise term for a specific organic fertilizer or entomological event.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blood meal”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blood meal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blood meal”
- Confusing 'blood meal' with 'bone meal' (a phosphorus fertilizer). Spelling as one word ('bloodmeal'). Using it as a verb ('to blood meal the plants').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when used as directed. It is a safe, organic fertilizer. However, excessive use can 'burn' plants due to high nitrogen, and it should be kept away from pets.
Blood meal is a high-nitrogen (N) fertilizer from dried blood. Bone meal is a high-phosphorus (P) and calcium fertilizer from ground animal bones. They serve different plant nutritional needs.
Female mosquitoes require the proteins and iron found in blood to develop their eggs. Males do not take blood meals; they feed on plant nectar.
Yes, the scent can attract carnivorous animals like dogs, raccoons, or foxes. It's recommended to mix it well into the soil to minimize this.
A dry, powdered fertilizer made from the blood of slaughtered animals, primarily used as a high-nitrogen soil amendment.
Blood meal is usually technical (agricultural/entomological), occasionally literary. in register.
Blood meal: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblʌd ˌmiːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblʌd ˌmil/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Rare/Archaic] 'To make a blood meal of someone' – to defeat utterly in a violent conflict.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BLOOD (source) + MEAL (powdered, like 'cornmeal') = a powdered fertilizer from blood.
Conceptual Metaphor
BLOOD IS NOURISHMENT (for plants). BLOOD IS FUEL (for insects).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts would the term 'blood meal' be LEAST likely to appear?