ζῷον (Rec. ζῶον, v. LS, s.v.), -ου, τό
(< ζωός, alive), [in LXX for חַיָּה (chiefly) and cognate forms; freq. in Wi;]
a living creature, an animal: Re 4:6-95:6 ff. Re 6:1 ff. Re 7:1114:315:719:4; ζῴων τ. αἷμα, He 13:11; ἄλογα ζ., II Pe 2:12, Ju 10.†
SYN.: θηρίον, in which the brutal, bestial element is emphasized, and which is never used of sacrificial animals. On the other hand, ζ. is the more comprehensive, as expressing the vital element common to the whole animal creation (v. Tr., Syn., lxxxi; Cremer, 274).