Beastie

[f. BEAST + -IE = -Y³.] A little animal; an endearing form of BEAST. (orig. Scotch.)

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1785. Burns, To Mouse. Wee, sleekit, cowrin’, tim’rous beastie.

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1864. D. Thompson, Daydreams, 229. Dogs … are religious beasties: but idolaters.

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1880. Lady Barker, in Macm. Mag., 388. The sheep … are compact little beasties.

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