Topic: FOLKLORE
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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | monstre, from Latin monstrum 'warning, monster', from monere 'to warn' |
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mon‧ster1
[countable]
[countable]1 an imaginary or ancient creature that is large, ugly, and frightening : the remains of a prehistoric monster the search for the Loch Ness Monster
in stories
RFthe remains of a prehistoric monsterthe search for the Loch Ness Monster2 someone who is very cruel and evil : Only a monster could kill all those women.
cruel person
Only a monster could kill all those women.3 a small child, especially one who is behaving badly - used humorously : I've got to get home and feed this little monster.
child
I've got to get home and feed this little monster.4 an object, animal etc that is unusually large : Did you see the fish Dad caught? It was a monster!
something large
informalDid you see the fish Dad caught? It was a monster!5 a dangerous or threatening problem, especially one that develops gradually and is difficult to manage
