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Webster 1913 Edition


Monstrosity

Mon-stros′i-ty

(mŏn-strŏs′ĭ-ty̆)
,
Noun.
;
pl.
Monstrosities
(mŏn-strŏs′ĭ-tĭz)
.
[Cf. F.
monstruosité
. See
Monstrous
.]
The state of being monstrous, or out of the common order of nature; that which is monstrous; a monster.
South.
A
monstrosity
never changes the name or affects the immutability of a species.
Adanson (Trans.).

Webster 1828 Edition


Monstrosity

MONSTROS'ITY

,
Noun.
The state of being monstrous, or out of the common order of nature.
We often read of monstrous births; but we see a greater monstrosity in education, when a father begets a son and trains him up into a beast.
1.
An unnatural production; that which is monstrous.
Fabri arranges distortions, gibbosities, tumors, &c. in the class of morbific monstrosities.
A monstrosity never changes the name or affects the immutability of a species.

Definition 2024


monstrosity

monstrosity

English

Noun

monstrosity (plural monstrosities)

  1. A plant or animal showing abnormal development or deformity.
    • 1859, Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species, I:
      Geoffrey St Hilaire's experiments show that unnatural treatment of the embryo causes monstrosities; and monstrosities cannot be separated by any clear line of distinction from mere variations.
  2. A monstrous thing, person or act.
  3. The state of being monstrous.

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