beast

Meanings

Noun

• Any animal other than a human; usually only applied to land vertebrates, especially large or dangerous four-footed ones.
• (more specific) A domestic animal, especially a bovine farm animal.
• A person who behaves in a violent, antisocial or uncivilized manner.
• Anything regarded as larger or more powerful than one of its normal size or strength.
• Someone who is particularly impressive, especially athletically or physically.
• A sex offender.
• Something unpleasant and difficult.
• A thing or matter, especially a difficult or unruly one.

Verb

• to impose arduous exercises, either as training or as punishment.

Adjective

• great; excellent; powerful

Origin

• From Middle English beeste, beste, from Old French beste (French bête), from Latin bēstia; many cognates – see bēstia.