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

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

From Project Gutenberg

The palm tree seems a kind of lusus naturae to the northern eye—an exotic wherever you meet it.

From Project Gutenberg

The semblance of a human face to be formed on the side of a mountain, or in the fracture of a small stone, by a lusus naturae.

From Project Gutenberg

The gossips all turn from the task of nibbling one another, and the character of the lusus naturae becomes public property.

From Project Gutenberg

I may mention here that male kangaroos are sometimes found provided with pouches; but these, I conceive, are lusus Naturae.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• behemoth
• freak
• giant
• whale