bestiality

noun

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

Examples of bestiality in a Sentence

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

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of bestiality was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near bestiality

Cite this Entry

“Bestiality.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bestiality. Accessed 2 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

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
: sexual relations between a human being and a lower animal

Legal Definition

bestiality

noun
bes·​ti·​al·​i·​ty ˌbes-chē-ˈa-lə-tē, ˌbēs- How to pronounce bestiality (audio)
: the crime of engaging in sexual relations with an animal see also crime against nature

More from Merriam-Webster on bestiality

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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