A large, powerful, or dangerous animal, especially a wild mammal. Can also refer to a person who behaves in a cruel or uncontrolled way.
From Old French 'beste', from Latin 'bestia' meaning wild animal. The word originally distinguished wild animals from domesticated ones, later acquiring metaphorical meanings of brutality or excessive behavior.
The word 'beast' has undergone a fascinating semantic journey from simply meaning 'wild animal' to becoming a complex metaphor for both negative traits (cruelty, wildness) and positive ones (strength, power). In modern slang, calling someone a 'beast' at sports or work is actually a compliment, showing how words can completely flip their emotional charge over time.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.