MEANING
A collection of descriptions of animals, often mixing real and fabulous creatures with symbolic or moral interpretation.
Use it for
learned creature lore; unreliable books; medieval knowledgeGive characters a source whose illustrations may not match living creatures.
Words that belong together
- illuminated bestiary
- consult a bestiary
- entry in a bestiary
On the page
The bestiary described a dragon that ate only dew.
Someone had corrected every picture in the bestiary with red ink.
She found a pressed feather beside the bestiary's final entry.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- bestiary
Usage notes
Primary category: fantasy. Historically more than a monster catalog; real animals and lessons may appear beside legendary beasts. Noun: bestiary; plural bestiaries.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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