The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Beast \Beast\ (b[=e]st), n. [OE. best, beste, OF. beste, F.
   b[^e]te, fr. L. bestia.]
   1. Any living creature; an animal; -- including man, insects,
      etc. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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   2. Any four-footed animal, that may be used for labor, food,
      or sport; as, a beast of burden.
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            A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.
                                                  --Prov. xii.
                                                  10.
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   3. any animal other than a human; -- opposed to man.
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            'Tain't a fit night out for man nor beast.
                                                  --W. C.
                                                  Fields.
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   4. Fig.: A coarse, brutal, filthy, or degraded fellow.
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   5. A game at cards similar to loo. [Obs.] --Wright.
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   6. A penalty at beast, omber, etc. Hence: To be beasted, to
      be beaten at beast, omber, etc.
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   Beast royal, the lion. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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   Syn: Beast, Brute.

   Usage: When we use these words in a figurative sense, as
          applicable to human beings, we think of beasts as mere
          animals governed by animal appetite; and of brutes as
          being destitute of reason or moral feeling, and
          governed by unrestrained passion. Hence we speak of
          beastly appetites; beastly indulgences, etc.; and of
          brutal manners; brutal inhumanity; brutal ferocity.
          So, also, we say of a drunkard, that he first made
          himself a beast, and then treated his family like a
          brute.
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