Is it bestiary or beastiary?
Inquiring minds want to know if the site menu is mispelled.
asked by Matthew
Inquiring minds want to know if the site menu is mispelled.
Bestiary — one "a," not "beastiary." The word comes from the Latin bestia ("beast") by way of bestiarium, a medieval book of beasts cataloging real and mythical creatures alongside moral lessons.
The misspelling "beastiary" is common and forgivable, since the English word beast sits right there begging for its vowel back — but the "ea" never made the jump from beast into bestiary. When in doubt: it's a bestiary, and it's full of beasts. Etymonline: bestiary
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