Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for BEAST
BEAST, n. [Ir. biast, piasd; Corn. bêst; D. beest; L. bestia; Fr. bête, from beste; Dan. bæst, beest; W. bwyst, wild, savage, ferocious. See Boisterous.]
- Any four-footed animal, which may be used for labor, food or sport; distinguished from fowls, insects, fishes and man; as, beasts of burden, beasts of the chase, beasts of the forest. It is usually applied to large animals.
- Opposed to man, it signifies any irrational animal, as in the phrase “man and beast.” So, wild beast.
- Figuratively, a brutal man; a person rude, coarse, filthy, or acting in a manner unworthy of a rational creature. – Johnson.
- A game at cards. Hence, to beast. – Encyc.
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