dragon lady

noun

1. (often initial capital letters) a woman of somewhat sinister glamour often perceived as wielding ruthless or corrupt power.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dragon lady¹

So called after the villainous Asian woman in the cartoon strip Terry and the Pirates (1934–1973) created by U.S. cartoonist Milton Caniff (1907–88)

Idioms and Phrases

A domineering or belligerent woman, as in They called her the neighborhood dragon lady—she was always yelling at the children . This slangy term was originally the name of a villainous Asian woman in Milton Caniff's popular cartoon strip Terry and the Pirates (1934–1973), which ran in many newspapers. It was transferred to more general use in the mid-1900s.

Example Sentences

But the Dragon Lady was upon the bell of Djji, and she lashed it furiously with her tail till dawn.

From Project Gutenberg

His Majesty met the Dragon Lady, and was made immortal; your servant has played a trick upon this girl, and he is to die.

From Project Gutenberg