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bestiary
(redirected from Beistiary)

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
bes·ti·ar·y  (bsch-r, bs-)
n. pl. bes·ti·ar·ies
1. A medieval collection of stories providing physical and allegorical descriptions of real or imaginary animals along with an interpretation of the moral significance each animal was thought to embody. A number of common misconceptions relating to natural history were preserved in these popular accounts.
2. A modern version of such a collection.

[Medieval Latin bstirium, from Latin bstia, beast.]

bestiary [ˈbɛstɪərɪ]
n pl -aries
(Literary & Literary Critical Terms) a moralizing medieval collection of descriptions of real and/or mythical animals

bestiary
a collection of fables, intended to teach a moral lesson, in which the characters are real or imaginary animals.
See also: Collections and Collecting
an allegorical or moralizing commentary based upon real or fabled animals, usually medieval and sometimes illustrated.
See also: Animals
an allegorical or moralizing commentary, usually medieval and sometimes illustrated, based upon real or fabled animals.
See also: Literature
Bestiary a medieval written book which collects together verse, prose, and illustrations of real and fabled animals—Wilkes.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.bestiary - a medieval book (usually illustrated) with allegorical and amusing descriptions of real and fabled animalsbestiary - a medieval book (usually illustrated) with allegorical and amusing descriptions of real and fabled animals
book - a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together); "I am reading a good book on economics"
Translations
bestiary [ˈbestɪərɪ] Nbestiario m
bestiary
nBestiaire nt, → Bestiarium nt


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