beeste

Afrikaans

Noun

beeste

  1. plural of bees

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Old French beste, from Latin bestia.

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈbɛːst(ə)/

Noun

beeste (plural beestes)

  1. An animal or creature (living thing in the kingdom Animalia (sometimes including mankind)):
    1. A non-human mammal; a creature that isn't avian, an insect, a human, or seaborne.
    2. Any creature used as livestock or which has been subject to domestication.
  2. A creature of evil or malice; a demon, devil, or monster
  3. A beast; a fantastic or mythological creature of great power.
    • a. 1382, John Wycliffe, “Apocalips 4:7”, in Wycliffe's Bible:
      And the firſte beeſte lijk a lyoun; and the ſecounde beeſte lijk a calf; and the thridde beeſte hauynge a face as of a man; and the fourthe beeſte lijk an egle fleynge.
      And the first beast [was] like a lion; and the second beast [was] like a calf; and the third beast had a face like a person; and the fourth beast [was] like an eagle flying.
  4. A person who is merciless, unforgiving, or ignorant.

Descendants

References
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