beast

noun (a beast, beasts); (slang) adjective-like use

«beast» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

A beast is a large, wild or frightening animal. tree →
A beast is a cruel or nasty person. tree →
(informal) A beast is something very big, powerful or difficult: «That maths test was a beast.» tree →
(slang) Someone who is a beast at something is amazingly good at it. tree →
Beast can also be a gentle word for a small animal, such as a pet or a creature we feel sorry for. tree →

In the lessons

In fairy tales, «Beauty and the Beast». In the Bible (Bible), «beasts of the field» means animals; in the Book of Revelation «the beast» is an evil figure. In sport slang, «he's a beast» is praise. Phrases: «beast of burden» (an animal that carries loads).

Examples

The beast roared in the dark forest. tree →
Beauty learned the Beast was kind inside. tree →
That homework was a beast! tree →
She's a beast at football — she scored five goals. tree →
Donkeys are beasts of burden. tree →
The bully was a real beast to the younger kids. tree →
Chuchundra is a broken-hearted little beast. tree →

Note

Countable. Adjective: beastly (old-fashioned UK for nasty). Slang «beast» can be praise or insult — the tone tells you.

In Jewish tradition

An animal, wild or tame. The Torah divides beasts into clean and unclean ones and forbids lying with them.

Interpretation. The rabbis explain the clean beasts as those that chew the cud and have split hooves. The ban on lying with a beast is read as a serious crime that is punished by death.

Examples

Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. (Torah DEU.27.21, JPS 1917) tree →
Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. (Torah EXO.22.19, JPS 1917) tree →
And he that smiteth a beast mortally shall make it good: life for life. (Torah LEV.24.18, JPS 1917) tree →
The burden of the beasts of the South. (Prophets ISA.30.6, JPS 1917) tree →
Then the beasts go into coverts, and remain in their dens. (Writings JOB.37.8, JPS 1917) tree →
Who smote the first-born of Egypt, both of man and beast. (Writings PSA.135.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. Adjective: beastly (old-fashioned UK for nasty). Slang «beast» can be praise or insult — the tone tells you.

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «beast» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«beast» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «beast» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«beast» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.

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