n.1 an animal other than a human being, esp. a wild quadruped.
2 a a brutal person. b colloq. an objectionable or unpleasant person or thing (he's a beast for not inviting her; a beast of a problem).
3 (prec. by the) a human being's brutish or uncivilized characteristics (saw the beast in him).
Phrases and idioms:
beast of burden an animal, e.g. an ox, used for carrying loads. beast of prey see PREY.
Etymology: ME f. OF beste f. Rmc besta f. L bestia