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bestiality

noun
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bes·​ti·​al·​i·​ty | \ ˌbes-chē-ˈa-lə-tē How to pronounce bestiality (audio) , ˌbesh-, ˌbēs-, ˌbēsh- How to pronounce bestiality (audio) \
plural bestialities

Definition of bestiality

1 : sexual relations between a human being and a lower animal
2 : the condition or status of a lower (see lower entry 3 sense 3) animal … the difference between bestiality and humanity …— John Dewey
3 : display or gratification of bestial traits or impulses the bestiality and degradation that war brings— Drew Middleton
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Examples of bestiality in a Sentence

I was shocked by the bestiality of their behavior. by the end of hostilities the populace had been reduced to a level of bestiality that would have been unthinkable before the war

First Known Use of bestiality

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

History and Etymology for bestiality

see bestial

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Statistics for bestiality

Time Traveler for bestiality

The first known use of bestiality was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for bestiality

bestiality

noun
How to pronounce bestiality (audio) How to pronounce bestiality (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of bestiality

: sex between a person and an animal
formal : a cruel and violent quality : a bestial quality

See the full definition for bestiality in the English Language Learners Dictionary

bestiality

noun
bes·​ti·​al·​i·​ty | \ ˌbes-chē-ˈal-ət-ē How to pronounce bestiality (audio) , ˌbēs- How to pronounce bestiality (audio) \
plural bestialities

Medical Definition of bestiality

: sexual relations between a human being and a lower animal

bestiality

noun
bes·​ti·​al·​i·​ty | \ ˌbes-chē-ˈa-lə-tē, ˌbēs- How to pronounce bestiality (audio) \

Legal Definition of bestiality

: the crime of engaging in sexual relations with an animal — see also crime against nature

More from Merriam-Webster on bestiality

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bestiality

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with bestiality

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bestiality

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