I. ˈbestyəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English bestaile, bestial, from Old French & Medieval Latin; Old French bestail, from Medieval Latin bestialia, from Latin, adjective, neuter plural of bestialis
Scotland : a domestic animal especially of the bovine kind ; collectively : cattle , livestock
II. ˈbes(h)chəl, ˈbēs-, Brit usually & US sometimes -styəl or -stiəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin bestialis, from bestia beast + -alis -al — more at beast
1.
a. : of or relating to a beast
in their bestial form the dead men extend a benign protection to their living human kinsfolk — J.G.Frazer
: like or resembling a beast in form or appearance
things of bestial shape and with hideous voices — Oscar Wilde
b. of a sign of the zodiac : represented by the figure of an animal
2.
a. : lacking intelligence or reasoning power : moved by unthinking prejudice or passion : brutish , barbarous
the bestial man has no sense of right and wrong — J.E.Hankins
some historians, to prove their immunity from bestial prejudice … are prone to treat the American Revolution almost apologetically — C.G.Bowers
b. : marked by, indicating, or gratifying base, inhuman, or immoderate instincts or desires : brutal , depraved
the bestial commander of a notorious concentration camp
bestial lust
supplied an abundance of wine and brandy, and a scene of bestial intoxication was the natural consequence — Herman Melville
Synonyms: see brutal