Beastly
/ˈbiːstli/noun
Relating to or resembling a beast; cruel or depraved.
Did you know?In medieval times, to call someone 'beastly' suggested they were more animal than human, evoking images of primal savagery.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeu̯s-
“to be alive, to live”
Latin
Latin
bestia
“a wild animal or beast, often used to denote ferocity”
Old French
Old French
beste
“beast, animal, especially one of a savage nature”
Middle English
Middle English
beest
“a living creature, particularly one of the less civilized kind”
Modern English
English
beastly
“characterized by the traits of a beast; often used to describe something unpleasant or offensive”