Main Entry:

bes·tial

Pronunciation:

\ˈbes-chəl, ˈbesh-, ˈbēs-, ˈbēsh-\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin bestialis, from bestia beast

Date:

14th century

1 a: of or relating to beasts b: resembling a beast2 a: lacking intelligence or reason b: marked by base or inhuman instincts or desires : brutal

synonyms see brutal

— bes·tial·ize \-chə-ˌlīz\ transitive verb

— bes·tial·ly \-chə-lē\ adverb