monster Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an imaginary creature usually having various human and animal parts
  2. noun someone or something that is abnormally large and powerful
    giant; colossus; behemoth; goliath.
  3. noun a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformed
    monstrosity; lusus naturae; freak.
  4. noun a cruel wicked and inhuman person
    ogre; devil; demon; fiend.
  5. noun (medicine) a grossly malformed and usually nonviable fetus
    teras.

WordNet

Mon"ster noun
Etymology
OE. monstre, F. monstre, fr. L. monstrum, orig., a divine omen, indicating misfortune; akin of monstrare to show, point out, indicate, and monere to warn. See Monition, and cf. Demonstrate, Muster.
Definitions
  1. Something of unnatural size, shape, or quality; a prodigy; an enormity; a marvel.
    A monster or marvel. Chaucer.
  2. Specifically , an animal or plant departing greatly from the usual type, as by having too many limbs.
  3. Any thing or person of unnatural or excessive ugliness, deformity, wickedness, or cruelty.
Mon"ster adjective
Definitions
  1. Monstrous in size. Pope.
Mon"ster transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make monstrous. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913