Synonyms

bestiality

American

[bes-chee-al-i-tee, bees-] / ˌbɛs tʃiˈæl ɪ ti, ˌbis- /

noun

plural

bestialities

brutish or beastly character or behavior; beastliness.
indulgence in beastlike appetites, instincts, impulses, etc.
an instance of bestial character or behavior.
sexual relations between a person and an animal; sodomy.

bestiality British

/ ˌbɛstɪˈælɪtɪ /

noun

bestial behaviour, character, or action
sexual activity between a person and an animal

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bestiality

1350–1400; Middle English bestial ( i ) te (< Anglo-French, Middle French ) < Medieval Latin bēstiālitās. See bestial, -ity

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Hell proper then falls into three great divisions for the punishment of the sins of Incontinence, Bestiality, and Malice, which are punished in nine circles, each circle sub-divided.

From National Epics by Rabb, Kate Milner

In Circle Six is punished the sin of Bestiality, under which fall Infidelity and Heresiarchy, Bestiality having here its Italian meaning of folly.

From National Epics by Rabb, Kate Milner

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023