monstrosity

Noun
Synonyms: freakmonsterlusus naturae

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. a person or animal that is markedly unusual or deformedSynonyms: freakmonsterlusus naturae
  2. something hideous or frightful“they regarded the atom bomb as a monstrosity”
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Monstrosity \Mon*stros"i*ty\ (m[o^]n*str[o^]s"[i^]*t[y^]), n.; pl. Monstrosities (m[o^]n*str[o^]s"[i^]*t[i^]z). [Cf. F. monstruosit['e]. See Monstrous.] The state of being monstrous, or out of the common order of nature; that which is monstrous; a monster. --South. [1913 Webster]

A monstrosity never changes the name or affects the immutability of a species. --Adanson (Trans.). [1913 Webster]

The Jargon File

monstrosity

1.n. A ridiculously elephantine program or system, esp. one that is buggy or only marginally functional.

2.adj. The quality of being monstrous (see the section called “Overgeneralization” in the discussion of jargonification). See also baroque.

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