beast 
/ˈbi:st/ noun
plural beasts /ˈbi:st/ noun [count] 1 old-fashioned : an animal
▪ dogs and other four-footed beasts ▪ wild beasts ▪ the birds and beasts of the forest ▪ a conflict between man and beast [=between human beings and animals] ; especially : a wild animal that is large, dangerous, or unusual
▪ They were attacked by a savage beast. ▪ a story about a mythical/imaginary beast [=creature] with two heads 2 old-fashioned : an unkind or cruel person
▪ He's a cruel, hateful beast! ▪ her beast of a husband [=her husband who is a beast] 3 informal : a person or thing of a particular kind
▪ Reading modern English is one thing, but understanding Shakespeare is an entirely different beast. [=is an entirely different thing; is entirely different] ▪ a powerful political beast [=a powerful politician]
▪ dogs and other four-footed beasts ▪ wild beasts ▪ the birds and beasts of the forest ▪ a conflict between man and beast [=between human beings and animals] ; especially : a wild animal that is large, dangerous, or unusual
▪ They were attacked by a savage beast. ▪ a story about a mythical/imaginary beast [=creature] with two heads
▪ He's a cruel, hateful beast! ▪ her beast of a husband [=her husband who is a beast]
▪ Reading modern English is one thing, but understanding Shakespeare is an entirely different beast. [=is an entirely different thing; is entirely different] ▪ a powerful political beast [=a powerful politician]
