/ biːst; NAmE / noun
1.
( old-fashioned or formal ) an animal, especially one that is large or dangerous, or one that is unusual :
wild / savage / ferocious beasts
mythical beasts such as unicorns and dragons
2.
a person who is cruel and whose behaviour is uncontrolled
SYN animal
3.
( informal , often humorous ) an unpleasant person or thing :
The maths exam was a real beast.
4.
( informal ) a thing of a particular kind
SYN animal :
His new guitar is a very expensive beast.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French beste , based on Latin bestia .