Etymology Map
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Beast

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an animal, especially a large or wild one

Where does the word "beast" come from? It comes from Latin bestia, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
bestia
Latin · ancient
"wild animal"
the root of 'bestial' and 'beastly'
2
Stage 2 of 3
beste
Old French · medieval
"animal"
replaced Old English 'deor', which narrowed to 'deer'
3
Stage 3 of 3
beast
English · 1200s
"animal"
'beast' for a brutish person dates from the 1300s
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Read the full story

Beast’s story begins in Latin: bestia meant “wild animal.” The root of 'bestial' and 'beastly'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as beste. Replaced Old English 'deor', which narrowed to 'deer'. It reached English by 1200s as beast. 'beast' for a brutish person dates from the 1300s. Today, beast means an animal, especially a large or wild one.