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Bestial Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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bestial

[หˆbษ›st.i.ษ™l ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

animalistic behavior

The term 'bestial' describes behavior or actions that are brutal, savage, or reminiscent of a beast. It is often used to emphasize a lack of humanity or civilized qualities in a person's actions. Bestial behavior is associated with an absence of compassion, morality, or empathy, indicating a dehumanized state. This word can also be used metaphorically to describe extreme cruelty or barbarity in various contexts.

Synonyms

brutal, cruel, feral, inhuman, savage.

Examples of usage

  • The evidence of bestial treatment of the animals shocked the investigators.
  • His bestial instincts took over during the heated argument.
  • The novel explores with a sense of bestial violence in the post-apocalyptic world.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Literature

  • Bestial imagery often appears in classic works, portraying characters with animalistic traits to highlight their primal instincts.
  • Authors like Franz Kafka used bestial characteristics to explore themes of dehumanization.
  • In many fables, characters embody bestial qualities to teach moral lessons about human behavior.

Psychology

  • The concept of bestial behavior can be linked to discussions of instinctual drives and primal urges in humans.
  • Some psychological theories suggest that when humans exhibit bestial behavior, they may be acting out of suppressed emotions or trauma.
  • Understanding bestial traits can help in analyzing aggressive behavior in both animals and humans.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often depict characters with bestial traits to symbolize a loss of humanity, such as in horror films where characters transform into beasts.
  • Music and art sometimes use bestial imagery to provoke thoughts on civilization versus savagery.
  • Bestial themes can frequently be observed in gothic literature and storytelling, used to reflect societal fears.

Origin of 'bestial'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'bestial' comes from the Latin 'bestialis', meaning 'of a beast'.
  • It entered the English language in the 14th century, initially used to describe animal traits.
  • The word relates to 'bestia' in Latin, which simply means 'beast' or 'animal'.

The word 'bestial' originates from the Latin word 'bestialis', which means 'of the beast' or 'animal-like', derived from 'bestia', meaning 'beast'. It was first recorded in English in the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century. Initially, it referred to anything pertaining to animals or nature. Over time, the connotation shifted to describe actions or qualities of humans that resemble those of beasts in their savagery or brutality. The adjective began to take on a more negative implication, often being used in legal and moral contexts to condemn acts of extreme violence or depravity. This evolution reflects human society's ongoing struggle to understand and define the boundaries between civilized behavior and primal instincts.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,066, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.