monstrosity

English

Etymology

From Middle English monstruosite, from Late Latin monstrositas (“monstrousness”), from Latin monstrōsus.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /mɒnˈstɹɒsɪti/

Noun

monstrosity (plural monstrosities)

  1. An organism showing abnormal development or deformity.
    • 1859, Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species, I:
      Geoffrey St Hilaire's experiments show that unnatural treatment of the embryo causes monstrosities; and monstrosities cannot be separated by any clear line of distinction from mere variations.
  2. A monstrous thing, person or act.
  3. The state of being monstrous.

Translations
This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.