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common scold

American  

noun

  1. (in early common law) a habitually rude and brawling woman whose conduct was subject to punishment as a public nuisance.


Etymology

Origin of common scold

First recorded in 1760–70

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.

In the title role, Diana Sands is earth-bound but never God-intoxicated, more of a common scold than an uncommon saint.

From Time Magazine Archive

Catherine Cairns was arrested as a common scold, clapped in jail to mend her talk.

From Time Magazine Archive

With a loud roar of rage, the felicity of phrasing and invaluable candor of a common scold, he immediately started to set things to rights.

From Time Magazine Archive

He envisions himself as a kind of public conscience to the profession, and succeeds at least in being its common scold.

From Time Magazine Archive

It is thus that I would see America, not as schoolmistress or common scold to the nations, but as chosen leader by example, rather than by authority.

From The Builders by Glasgow, Ellen Anderson Gholson

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