lusus naturae

[ loo-suhs nuh-toor-ee, -tyoor-ee ]

noun

1. a deformed person or thing; freak.

lusus naturae

/ ˈluːsʊs næˈtʊəriː /

noun

1. a freak, mutant, or monster

Word History and Origins

Origin of lusus naturae¹

First recorded in 1655–65, lusus naturae is from Latin lūsus nātūrae “a jest of nature”

Word History and Origins

Origin of lusus naturae¹

C17: Latin: whim of nature

Example Sentences

From the loathsome lusus naturae of behemoth horror series to the sprawling cosmopolis of complex management simulators, video games often feature wrenched contortions of the natural world as core tenets in environmental design.

From The Verge

He tells us that Aristotle “deemed a freak a lusus naturae, an aberration of the Natural Ladder.”

From New York Times

If there is in fact no such, he is, in his high attainment, almost a lusus naturae.

From Project Gutenberg

His argument was the most triumphant that had ever been brought against the doctrine of lusus naturae, and that of the efficacy of Noah’s flood—doctrines which still held their ground in Guettard’s day.

From Project Gutenberg

If I do not mistake, there is no such thing as a black lynx, except as a lusus naturae.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• behemoth
• freak
• giant
• whale