I. -lē, -li adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English beestly, bestly, from beest, beste beast + -ly
1. : like a beast : marked by the traits of an animal and by lack of man's dignity or refinement ; often : lustful or brutal
a beastly froth of rage — Robert Browning
the abstentious and beastly crudeness of the battlefield — Lewis Mumford
2. : like, characteristic of, or relating to animals as opposed to man
beastly divinities and droves of gods — Matthew Prior
3. : abominable , disgusting , distasteful , unpleasant
beastly weather
the beastly stench almost made him faint — W.S.Maugham
the beastly dullness of the village
Synonyms: see brutal
II. adverb
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English beestly, bestly, from beestly, bestly, adjective
: to a beastly degree or in a beastly manner : abominably , egregiously
beastly vulgar — Henry James †1916