-s(h)chēˌerē, -stēˌ- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Medieval Latin bestiarium, from Latin, neuter of bestiarius of beasts, from bestia beast + -arius -ary — more at beast
1. : a medieval often illustrated work in verse or prose describing with an allegorical moralizing commentary the appearance and habits of real and fabled animals
2. : the sculptured or painted representation of a group of real or imaginary animals (as in a medieval cathedral) often vested with a symbolical significance