Bear's"-paw` (&?;), n. (Zoöl.) A large bivalve shell of the East Indies (Hippopus maculatus), often used as an ornament.
Bear"ward` (&?;), n. [Bear + ward a keeper.] A keeper of bears. See Bearherd. [R.] Shak.
Beast (bst), n. [OE. best, beste, OF. beste, F. bête, fr. L. bestia.] 1. Any living creature; an animal; -- including man, insects, etc. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. Any four-footed animal, that may be used for labor, food, or sport; as, a beast of burden.
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.
Prov. xii. 10.