Monstrous \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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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