virago

[ vi-rah-goh, -rey- ]

noun

, plural vi·ra·goes, vi·ra·gos.

1. a loud-voiced, ill-tempered, scolding woman; shrew.

   Synonyms: Xanthippe, harpy, termagant, nag, scold

2. Archaic. a woman of strength or spirit.

virago

/ vɪˈrɑːɡəʊ; vɪˈrædʒɪnəs /

noun

1. a loud, violent, and ill-tempered woman; scold; shrew
2. archaic.
   a strong, brave, or warlike woman; amazon

Derived Forms

• viˈrago-ˌlike, adjective
• viraginous, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of virago¹

before 1000; Middle English, Old English < Latin virāgō, equivalent to vir man + -āgō suffix expressing association of some kind, here resemblance

Word History and Origins

Origin of virago¹

Old English, from Latin: a manlike maiden, from vir a man

Example Sentences

Miser Farnham put out a lean hand and gripped the virago's wrist so tightly that she screamed with pain.

From Project Gutenberg

"Shut up, and mind yore own business," answered the virago, swiftly turning the barrel of her weapon upon me.

From Project Gutenberg

But it may have touched him that at that moment he was less than his companion and his virago wife.

From Project Gutenberg

Amazon, am′az-on, n. one of a fabled nation of female warriors: a masculine woman: a virago.

From Project Gutenberg

If the messenger whom he had seen were really Catherine Seyton, what a masculine virago and termagant must she be!

From Project Gutenberg