Mon"strous (?), a. [OE.
monstruous, F. monstrueux, fr. L. monstruosus,
fr. monstrum. See Monster.] 1.
Marvelous; strange. [Obs.]
2. Having the qualities of a monster;
deviating greatly from the natural form or character; abnormal; as, a
monstrous birth. Locke.
He, therefore, that refuses to do good to them whom he
is bound to love . . . is unnatural and monstrous in his
affections.
Jer. Taylor.
3. Extraordinary in a way to excite wonder,
dislike, apprehension, etc.; -- said of size, appearance, color,
sound, etc.; as, a monstrous height; a monstrous ox; a
monstrous story.
4. Extraordinary on account of ugliness,
viciousness, or wickedness; hateful; horrible; dreadful.
So bad a death argues a monstrous
life.
Shak.
5. Abounding in monsters. [R.]
Where thou, perhaps, under the whelming tide
Visitest the bottom of the monstrous world.
Milton.
Mon"strous, adv. Exceedingly;
very; very much. "A monstrous thick oil on the top."
Bacon.
And will be monstrous witty on the
poor.
Dryden.
