bestiary

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a medieval book (usually illustrated) with allegorical and amusing descriptions of real and fabled animals

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin bēstiārium, from Latin bēstia (“beast, animal”). By surface analysis, beast + -ary.

In classic literature

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