a. [ OE. monstruous, F. monstrueux, fr. L. monstruosus, fr. monstrum. See Monster. ] 1. Marvelous; strange. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having the qualities of a monster; deviating greatly from the natural form or character; abnormal; as, a monstrous birth. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

He, therefore, that refuses to do good to them whom he is bound to love . . . is unnatural and monstrous in his affections. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Extraordinary on account of ugliness, viciousness, or wickedness; hateful; horrible; dreadful. [ 1913 Webster ]

So bad a death argues a monstrous life. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Abounding in monsters. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Where thou, perhaps, under the whelming tide
Visitest the bottom of the monstrous world. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Exceedingly; very; very much. “A monstrous thick oil on the top.” Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

And will be monstrous witty on the poor. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a monstrous manner; unnaturally; extraordinarily; as, monstrously wicked. “Who with his wife is monstrously in love.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or quality of being monstrous, unusual, extraordinary. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]