Frankenstein

[ frang-kuhn-stahyn ]

noun

1. a person who creates a monster or a destructive agency that cannot be controlled or that brings about the creator's ruin.
2. Also called Frankenstein monster. the monster or destructive agency itself.

Frankenstein

/ ˈfræŋkɪnˌstaɪn /

noun

1. a person who creates something that brings about his ruin
2. Also calledFrankenstein's monster a thing that destroys its creator

Frankenstein

1. (1818) A novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. The title character , Dr. Victor Frankenstein, makes a manlike monster from parts of cadavers and brings it to life by the power of an electrical charge . Frankenstein's monster is larger than most men and fantastically strong.

Notes

Frequently the subject of horror films, the monster is usually pictured with an oversized square brow, metal bolts in his neck and forehead, and greenish skin. People often mistakenly refer to the monster, rather than to his creator, as “Frankenstein.”

Derived Forms

• ˌFrankenˈsteinian, adjective

Other Words From

• Frank·en·stein·i·an [frang-k, uh, n-, stahy, -nee-, uh, n], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Frankenstein¹

First recorded in 1830–40; after a character in Mary Shelley's novel of the same name (1818)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Frankenstein¹

C19: after Baron Frankenstein , who created a destructive monster from parts of corpses in the novel by Mary Shelley (1818)

Example Sentences

Frankenstein has, indeed, created his monster, who abandons him for greater gains.

From Salon

Teri Garr, an actor with a flair for comedy who was known for film roles in “Young Frankenstein,” “Oh, God!” and “Tootsie,” a part that earned her an Oscar nomination, has died.

From Los Angeles Times

She was then cast as Gene Wilder's lab assistant in the horror comedy Young Frankenstein where she spoke with a German accent.

From BBC

"It was very clear from King Kong to Frankenstein to Creature from the Black Lagoon that all the monsters were the most emotional. The humans were the ones that scared me," he said.

From BBC

As the primary songwriter, Lane has often written from fantasy or culled from the varied experiences of his band members to create what he once called “a Frankenstein of love stories.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• behemoth
• freak
• giant
• whale