beast
UK: biːst | US: biːst
n. 1. An animal, especially a large or dangerous four-legged one.
n. 2. A cruel, violent, or uncivilized person.
n. 3. (Informal) Something impressive in size or power (e.g., "a beast of a machine").
The word "beast" traces back to Latin bestia, meaning "wild animal," which passed into Old French as beste. It entered Middle English with the same spelling and retained its core meaning of a non-human creature, often with connotations of wildness or ferocity. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe brutish human behavior or formidable objects. The simplicity of its monomorphic structure (no clear prefix/root/suffix division) reflects its ancient, unbroken lineage.
The lion is often called the king of beasts.
He transformed into a ruthless beast during the battle.
That car is a real beast on the racetrack.
Medieval legends spoke of magical beasts lurking in forests.
She tamed the beast within herself through discipline.