bestiole

small creature, critter

noun beh-stee-OL Rare

Usage Note

bestiole is an informal, often affectionate diminutive for a small animal — an insect, a bug, a tiny creature. It can also be mildly disparaging. The standard word for animal is bête; bestiole is the colloquial, smaller-scale version commonly used by children and in casual speech.

Examples

"Une petite bestiole a traversé le plancher."

Natural Translation

A little critter crossed the floor.

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