lusus naturae

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

From the loathsome lusus naturae of behemoth horror series to the sprawling cosmopolis of complex management simulators, video games often feature wrenched contortions of the natural world as core tenets in environmental design.

From The Verge • Feb. 13, 2020

The semblance of a human face to be formed on the side of a mountain, or in the fracture of a small stone, by a lusus naturae.

From Passages from the American Notebooks, Volume 1 by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

If Norman were not a lusus naturae," said Dr. May, hesitating for a word, "his head would have been turned long ago.

From The Daisy chain, or Aspirations by Yonge, Charlotte Mary

All men, the monster and the lusus naturae excepted, have a certain form, a certain complement of limbs, a certain internal structure, and organs of sense—may we not add further, certain powers of intellect?

From Thoughts on Man, His Nature, Productions and Discoveries Interspersed with Some Particulars Respecting the Author by Godwin, William

“My cousins,” she remarked, putting a touch on the cow that stamped that animal a lusus naturae for all time coming.

From The Eagle Cliff by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)