'Termagant' definitions:

Definition of 'termagant'

(from WordNet)
noun
A scolding nagging bad-tempered woman [syn: shrew, termagant]

Definition of 'Termagant'

From: GCIDE
  • Termagant \Ter"ma*gant\, n. [OE. Trivigant, Termagant, Termagant (in sense 1), OF. Tervagan; cf. It. Trivigante.]
  • 1. An imaginary being supposed by the Christians to be a Moslem deity or false god. He is represented in the ancient moralities, farces, and puppet shows as extremely vociferous and tumultous. [Obs.] --Chaucer. "And oftentimes by Termagant and Mahound [Mahomet] swore." --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
  • The lesser part on Christ believed well, On Termagant the more, and on Mahound. --Fairfax. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A boisterous, brawling, turbulent person; -- formerly applied to both sexes, now only to women. [1913 Webster]
  • This terrible termagant, this Nero, this Pharaoh. --Bale (1543). [1913 Webster]
  • The slave of an imperious and reckless termagant. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Termagant'

From: GCIDE
  • Termagant \Ter"ma*gant\, a. Tumultuous; turbulent; boisterous; furious; quarrelsome; scolding. -- {Ter"ma*gant*ly}, adv. [1913 Webster]
  • A termagant, imperious, prodigal, profligate wench. --Arbuthnot. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Termagant'