beast

== English == === Alternative forms === beest (obsolete) === Etymology === From Middle English beeste, beste, from Old French beste (French bête), from Latin bēstia (“animal, beast”); many cognates – see bēstia. === Pronunciation === (UK, US) IPA(key): /biːst/ Rhymes: -iːst === Noun === beast (plural beasts) Any four-footed land mammal. (often collective) All non-human animals seen as a group. A person who behaves in a violent, antisocial or uncivilized manner. (chiefly UK) A domestic animal, especially a bovine farm animal. A monstrously unusual and dangerous animal. Synonym: monster (slang) Anything regarded as larger or more powerful than one of its normal size or strength. (slang) Someone who is particularly impressive, especially athletically or physically. (prison slang, derogatory) A sex offender. (figuratively) Something unpleasant and difficult. A thing or matter, especially a difficult or unruly one. ==== Hyponyms ==== ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== belluine (suppletive adjective) === Verb === beast (third-person singular simple present beasts, present participle beasting, simple past and past participle beasted) (UK, military, transitive) To impose arduous exercise upon, either as training or as punishment. (UK, prison slang, transitive) To bully or harass. (Scotland, slang, transitive) To engage in sexual intercourse with, particularly in an illicit context. ==== Derived terms ==== === Adjective === beast (comparative more beast, superlative most beast) (slang, chiefly Midwestern and Northeastern US) great; excellent; powerful ==== Translations ==== === Anagrams === Beats, baste, Sebat, besat, beats, abets, Bates, esbat, betas, bates, tabes == Middle English == === Noun === beast (AB language; Early Middle English, Cheshire) alternative form of beste == Yola == === Alternative forms === bast === Etymology === From Middle English beste (“livestock”), from Old French beste, from Latin bestia. Cognate with West English beäst. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /bɛːst/, /baːst/ === Noun === beast (plural beasthès) beast === References ===