beast etymology

Etymology

The word "beast" comes from the Latin word "bestia," which means "animal." The Latin word is thought to have originated from the PIE root ghwes-, which also gives us the words "guest" and "host."

Meaning and Origin

In English, the word "beast" has a range of meanings, including:

• Any large, four-footed mammal, especially a wild or dangerous one
• A cruel or savage person
• An animal-like creature, such as a monster or demon
• A term of contempt or disapproval

The word "beast" was first used in English in the 13th century. It originally referred to any large, four-footed mammal, but over time its meaning narrowed to refer specifically to wild or dangerous animals. In the 16th century, the word began to be used figuratively to refer to cruel or savage people. In the 19th century, the word "beast" was extended to refer to animal-like creatures, such as monsters or demons.

Cultural Significance

The word "beast" has a long and varied history in Western culture. It has been used in literature, art, and film to represent a wide range of ideas and concepts, including danger, savagery, and the animalistic side of human nature. Some of the most famous examples of beasts in popular culture include the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, the Minotaur from Greek mythology, and the werewolf from Universal Monsters.

beast relate terms

• animal

  Etymology The word animal comes from the Latin word animalis meaning having life o

• deer

  Etymology The word deer comes from the Old English word dēor which is derived from

• beast

  Etymology The word beast comes from the Latin word bestia which means animal The

• deer

  Etymology The word deer comes from the Old English word dēor which is derived from

• reindeer

  Etymology The word reindeer comes from the Old Norse words hreinn deer and dyr

• hart

  Etymology Old English heort Proto Germanic herta Proto Indo European ḱerd m

• bestiary

  Etymology Bestiary comes from the Latin word bestiarium which itself is derived fro

• wolf

  Etymology Old English wulf Proto Germanic wulfaz Proto Indo European root wĺ̥kʷ

• brute

  Etymology The word brute is derived from the Old French word brute which in turn com

• behemoth

  Etymology From Late Latin behemoth From Hebrew בְּהֵמוֹת bəhēmōṯ the p

• camel

  Etymology The word camel originates from the Latin word camelus which in turn is de

• bait

  Etymology Middle English baite from Anglo Norman bait diminutive of Old Norse beita

• ferocity

  Etymology Late Latin ferocitas ferōcitās fierceness wildness Latin ferōx f

• flow

  Etymology The word flow comes from the Middle English word flowen which is derived

• fowl

  Etymology The word fowl is derived from the Middle English word foul which in turn

• stunt

  Etymology The word stunt originated in the early 17th century deriving from the Middl