Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

bestiary

Pronunciation: /ˈbɛstɪəri/
Definition of bestiary

noun (plural bestiaries)

  • a descriptive or anecdotal treatise on various kinds of animal, especially a medieval work with a moralizing tone.

Origin:

mid 19th century: from medieval Latin bestiarium, from Latin bestia 'beast'

bestiary in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of bestiary in the US English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

cur

/ kəː /
noun
an aggressive or unkempt dog …