n. A living being; an animal: in this extended sense now only in dialectal or colloquial use.n. Any four-footed animal, as distinguished from fowls, insects, fishes, and man: as, beasts of burden; beasts of the chase; beasts of the forest. It is applied chiefly to large animals.n. Any irrational animal, as opposed to man, as in the phrase man and beast, where beast usually means horse.n. plural In rural economy, originally all domestic animals, but now only cattle; especially, fatting cattle as distinguished from other animals.n. In a limited specific use, a horse: as, my beast is tired out.n. Figuratively, a brutal man; a person rude, coarse, filthy, or acting in a manner unworthy of a rational creature.n. [In this use also spelled as orig. pron., bāste, ⟨ F. beste, now béte, in same sense.] An old game of cards resembling loo. A penalty or forfeit at this game, and also in ombre and quadrille.