The title character from Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, often mistakenly used to refer to the monster he created. In popular usage, it refers to something created that becomes uncontrollable or destructive.
Created by Mary Shelley, combining German 'Franken' (referring to the Franconia region) and 'stein' (stone), literally meaning 'stone of the Franks.' Shelley may have been influenced by Castle Frankenstein in Germany. The name has since become synonymous with dangerous scientific experimentation.
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