lusus naturae

American  

[loo-suhs nuh-toor-ee, -tyoor-ee] / ˈlu səs nəˈtʊər i, -ˈtjʊər i /

noun

1. a deformed person or thing; freak.

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lusus naturae British  

/ ˈluːsʊs næˈtʊəriː /

noun

1. a freak, mutant, or monster

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Etymology

Origin of lusus naturae

First recorded in 1655–65, lusus naturae is from Latin lūsus nātūrae “a jest of nature”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lusus naturae

From the loathsome lusus naturae of behemoth horror series to the sprawling cosmopolis of complex management simulators, video games often feature wrenched contortions of the natural world as core tenets in environmental design.

From The Verge ● Feb. 13, 2020

Therefore, a general theory of petrification or consolidation of mineral bodies must explain this distinct fact, and not suffer it any longer to remain a lusus naturae.

From Theory of the Earth, Volume 1 (of 4) by James Hutton

This appeal, which was evidently meant in deep earnest, moved the mind of the young lady with so great astonishment that she looked at Pitt as at a lusus naturae.

From A Red Wallflower by Susan Warner

I regret that we had no subsequent opportunity to decide whether this was one of a new species of the Macropodidae family, or a mere lusus naturae.

From Discoveries in Australia, Volume 1. With an Account of the Coasts and Rivers Explored and Surveyed During The Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, in the Years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. By Command of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Also a Narrative Of Captain Owen Stanley's Visits to the Islands in the Arafura Sea. by John Lort Stokes

“My cousins,” she remarked, putting a touch on the cow that stamped that animal a lusus naturae for all time coming.

From The Eagle Cliff by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

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Related Words

• behemoth
• freak
• giant
• whale

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