Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - beast

n. 1 an animal other than a human being, esp. a wild quadruped. 2 a a brutal person. b colloq. an objectionable or unpleasant person or thing (he's a beast for not inviting her; a beast of a problem). 3 (prec. by the) a human being's brutish or uncivilized characteristics (saw the beast in him). Phrases and idioms beast of burden an animal, e.g. an ox, used for carrying loads. beast of prey see PREY. Etymology: ME f. OF beste f. Rmc besta f. L bestia