Main Entry: bes·ti·ary

Pronunciation: \ˈbes-chē-ˌer-ē, -ˌe-rē, ˈbesh-, ˈbēs-, ˈbēsh-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural bes·ti·ar·ies

Etymology: Medieval Latin bestiarium, from Latin, neuter of bestiarius of beasts, from bestia

Date: 1840

1 : a medieval allegorical or moralizing work on the appearance and habits of real or imaginary animals
2 a : a collection of descriptions or representations of real or imaginary animals b : an array of real humans or literary characters often having symbolic significance
3 : an unusual or whimsical collection <a truly astounding bestiary of airplane designs — Peter Garrison>