beldam

American  

[bel-duhm, -dam] / ˈbɛl dəm, -dæm /

Also beldame

noun

1. an old woman, especially an ugly one; hag.

2. Obsolete. grandmother.

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beldam British  

/ ˈbɛldəm /

noun

1. archaic an old woman, esp an ugly or malicious one; hag

2. an obsolete word for grandmother

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Etymology

Origin of beldam

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, equivalent to bel- “grand-” (from Middle French bel, belle “fine, good-looking”) + dam “mother”; beau, belle, dam ²

Example Sentences

One corpulent beldam, a doomed weekend guest at Landru's Art Nouveau rookery near Paris, eats raspberries from Landru's hand and ends up with jam dribbling wretchedly down her chins.

From Time Magazine Archive

In the role of a warmhearted answering-service operator, she can quaver like a beldam or give a rumbling impersonation of Santa Claus.

From Time Magazine Archive

“The beldam swore by her good right hand,” said the tall girl, “but she lied.”

From "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman

“Peradventure,” said a voice in the darkness, “if you could win your mamma and your papa back from the beldam, you could also win free our souls.”

From "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman

“Oh, keep going,” whispered a ghost voice in her ear, “for the beldam is angry.”

From "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman