Word: monster Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *men- Proto-Indo-European *-yeti Proto-Indo-European *-éyeti Proto-Indo-European *monéyeti Proto-Italic *man-eje- Proto-Italic *moneō Proto-Indo-European *-tḗr Proto-Indo-European *-trom Proto-Italic *-trom Proto-Italic *monestrom Latin mōnstrumbor. Old French monstrebor. Middle English monstre English monster From Middle English monstre, from Old French monstre, mostre, moustre, from Latin mōnstrum. Displaced native Old English fīfel and Old English þyrs. Pronunciation: /ˈmɒnstə(ɹ)/, /ˈmɑnstɚ/ 1. A terrifying and dangerous creature, especially one of an imaginary or fictional kind. Example: O, 'twas a din to fright a monster's ear,/ to make an earthquake. Example: [T]he monſter [sc. a tiger], rouſed by the noiſe, ſtarted forward, preſented ſuch a viſage of horror, and raiſed ſuch a hideous roar, that the hearts of the bold were contracted, and the nerves of the valiant unſtrung. 2. A terrifying and dangerous creature, especially one of an imaginary or fictional kind. Example: Get away from those children, you monster! Example: I'm not a monster, Tom, well, technically I am / I guess I am... 3. A terrifying and dangerous creature, especially one of an imaginary or fictional kind. Labels: figuratively, humorous Example: Sit still, you little monster! Example: The rest of the day he heard the children playing kick-the-can, hide-and-seek, Over-Annie-Over, jacks, tops, mibs, and the sound of the little monsters in every shrub and shadow would not let him rest. 4. A terrifying and dangerous creature, especially one of an imaginary or fictional kind. Labels: informal Example: That dude playing guitar is a monster. Example: He was a party monster. Able to drink and drug just about any member of the Fleetwood Mac family under the table, he did so with regularity and charm. 5. A creature of unnatural or highly unusual shape or form (which makes a frightening or unpleasant impression). Labels: informal Example: Have you seen those powerlifters on TV? They're monsters. Example: Although she, for many years had waged continual war against rheumatism, her pleasant face shone like the full moon from under the white head-gear, while she had protected herself against any possible attack of the enemy by a multiplicity of petticoats and jackets; and as an outer fortification she had put on a monster of a frieze cloak. 6. A creature of unnatural or highly unusual shape or form (which makes a frightening or unpleasant impression). Labels: archaic Example: The villagers were worried because the weather had been strange and several monsters had been born among the flocks and people. Example: Deducting then these cases, we have a large proportion of imperfect foetuses, which belonged to twin conceptions, and in which, therefore, the circulation of the monster may have essentially depended on that of the sound child. 7. A creature of unnatural or highly unusual shape or form (which makes a frightening or unpleasant impression). Labels: archaic, offensive 8. A bizarre or whimsical creature. Example: The children decided Grover was a cuddly monster. 9. A non-player character that player(s) fight against in role-playing games; a mob