Also beast-. [f. as prec. (by Prof. Owen) after humanitarian.] A name given to anti-vivisectionists, as ‘friends of the beast.’ Bestiarianism, the principles of those who uphold the ‘rights of animals.’
1882. Owen, Exper. Phys., 56. The advantage of signifying the second group to which my present work relates by the word ‘bestiarian.’ Ibid., 57. That arises from abuse of true bestiarianism.
1883. Amer. Naturalist, Feb., 175. The anti-vivisectionists, or beastiarians.
