Beastie

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈbiːsti/

Definitions

1. A small animal, especially one that is cute or endearing, or a creature viewed as unpleasant or mischievous
2. A small creature, often regarded as charming or delightful, or an animal perceived as troublesome and undesirable
3. A diminutive being, typically seen as adorable or appealing, or a critter that may be annoying or bothersome

Etymology: "Beastie" is a plain formation: the noun "beast" with the diminutive suffix "-ie" added to it. The suffix descends from an old Germanic ending that was used to mark small or affectionate forms, and it passed through the Old English, Middle English and early modern English stages before attaching to "beast" in the familiar way. The result is a word that takes a large, serious animal and shrinks it down, so that a "beastie" is literally a little beast. That shrinking is what gives the word its range of tone. Used warmly, it describes a small creature that is endearing, such as a pet, a kitten or a baby animal. Used in a more teasing way, it can describe a creature regarded as troublesome or mischievous, the sort of small pest that gets into the kitchen. Both senses come from the same diminutive, with the affection or the annoyance supplied by the speaker.

Synonyms: creature, animal

Antonyms: human