beastliness
|beast-li-ness|
/ˈbiːst.li.nəs/
animal-like cruelty / extreme nastiness
Etymology
'beastliness' originates from English, specifically the word 'beastly' with the suffix '-ness', where '-ness' meant 'state or quality'.
'beastly' developed from the noun 'beast' (Middle English 'beste'/'beeste'), which entered English from Old French 'beste', itself from Latin 'bestia'; 'beastliness' was then formed by adding the suffix '-ness' to 'beastly'.
Initially 'beast' primarily meant 'an animal' and 'beastly' meant 'of or like an animal'; over time 'beastliness' evolved to denote 'savage or cruel behavior' and also came to be used for 'extreme unpleasantness or indecency'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or state of being like a beast; brutality or savage cruelty.
The beastliness of the attack shocked the whole community.
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Noun 2
extreme unpleasantness, nastiness, or indecency (often used for shocking, coarse behavior or conditions).
He described the prison's filth and beastliness in his report.
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Last updated: 2025/09/14 04:55