bestialisation
|bes-ti-a-li-sa-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌbɛstiəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌbɛstɪəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
make beast-like; dehumanize
Etymology
'bestialisation' originates from French and English verb formations, ultimately from Latin 'bestia', where 'bestia' meant 'beast'.
'bestialisation' developed via Medieval Latin and Old French elements: Latin 'bestia' → Medieval Latin/Old French 'bestial-'/'bestialis' → French verb 'bestialiser' and English 'bestialize'/'bestialise', with the noun formed by adding the suffix '-ation', resulting in modern English 'bestialisation'.
Initially, derivatives of 'bestia' referred simply to 'of or relating to beasts' (i.e. 'beast-like'); over time the formed verbs and nouns came to include the sense 'to make beast-like' and, figuratively, 'to dehumanize' or 'reduce to brutality'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act or process of making something or someone beast-like; literal change into an animal or animal form.
The myth describes the sorcerer's bestialisation of the prince into a wolf.
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Noun 2
figurative: the process or result of dehumanizing someone, reducing them to brutish or savage behavior.
Observers warned that the bestialisation of prisoners would only escalate violence.
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Last updated: 2025/09/13 21:11