Lewis & Short

bēlŭa (not bellŭa), ae, f. (belua, dissyl., Varr. ap. Non. p. 201, 26) [perh. kindr. with θήρ, fera, as uber with οὖθαρ, and paulus with παῦρος],

  1. I. a beast distinguished for size or ferocity, a monster (as an elephant, lion, wild boar, whale, etc.; cf.: bestia, fera): elephanto beluarum nulla prudentior, Cic. N. D. 1, 35, 97; id. Fam. 7, 1, 3; Curt. 8, 9, 29: ea genera beluarum, quae in Rubro Mari Indiāve gignantur, Cic. N. D. 1, 35, 97: singulas stellas numeras deos, eosque beluarum nomine appellas, id. ib. 3, 16, 40; cf. * Lucr. 4, 143: fera et immanis, Cic. Ac. 2, 34, 108: vasta et immanis, id. Div. 1, 24, 49: saeva, Hor. C. 1, 12, 22: ingens, id. S. 2, 3, 316: centiceps, id. C. 2, 13, 34 al.
    1. B. Esp. freq., κατ’ ἐξοχἠν, the elephant, Ter. Eun. 3, 1, 25 Ruhnk.: jam beluarum terror exoleverat, Flor. 1, 18, 9; cf. Graev. ib. 2, 6, 49; Sil. 11, 543: quis (gladiis) appetebant beluarum manus, Curt. 8, 14, 33 al.
      Hence with the epithets, Inda, Ov. Tr. 4, 6, 7: Gaetula, Juv. 10, 158.
  2. II. Sometimes, in gen., a beast, animal (even of small and tame animals): quo quidem agno sat scio magis curiosam nusquam esse ullam beluam, Plaut. Aul. 3, 6, 26.
    The lower animals, as distinguished from man: quantum natura hominis pecudibus reliquisque beluis antecedat, Cic. Off. 1, 30, 105; 2, 5, 16 and 17; id. N. D. 2, 39, 99; 2, 47, 122.
  3. III. Trop.
    1. A. As a term of reproach, beast, brute (class.), Plaut. Trin. 4, 2, 112; id. Most. 3, 1, 78; id. Rud. 2, 6, 59: age nunc, belua, Credis huic quod dicat? Ter. Eun. 4, 4, 37; id. Phorm. 4, 2, 11: sed quid ego hospitii jura in hac immani beluā commemoro? Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 42, § 109: beluae quaedam illae immanes ac ferae, forma hominum indutae, exstiterunt, id. Sull. 27, 76; id. Pis. 1, 1; id. Phil. 8, 4, 13; id. Leg. 3, 9, 22; id. Off. 3, 6, 32; Liv. 7, 10, 3.
    2. B. Of abstract objects: quod, ut feram et inmanem beluam, sic ex animis nostris adsensionem extraxisset, Cic. Ac. 2, 34, 108: amicos increpans, ut ignaros, quanta belua esset imperium, Suet. Tib. 24: avaritia, belua fera, Sall. Rep. Ordin. 2, 54 (p. 274 Gerl.).