adj.
Pronunciation: ' bes-ch ə l, ' besh-, ' b ē s-, ' b ē sh-
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 beast
2 a : lacking intelligence or reason b : marked by base or inhuman instincts or desires : BRUTAL
synonyms see BRUTAL
– bes · tial · ize \ -ch ə - ˌ l ī z \ transitive verb
– bes · tial · ly \ -ch ə -l ē \ adverb