Monster
/ˈmɒn.stər/noun
A frightening creature, or a person or thing of extraordinary size, cruelty, or power.
Did you know?In Latin, monstrum was less about a creature and more about a supernatural omen or divine warning, so a “monster” was originally a message from the universe gone wrong.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*men-
“to think, notice, remember”
Latin
Latin
monēre
“to warn, advise, remind”
Latin
Latin
monstrum
“a sign, portent, divine warning; later a strange or unnatural being”
Old French
Old French
monstre
“a monster, abnormal creature”
Middle English
English
monstre
“a monstrous or unnatural creature”
Modern English
English
monster
“a frightening creature or a cruel, wicked person”
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