harridan
[ hahr-i-dn ]
/ ˈhɑr ɪ dn /
noun
a scolding, vicious woman; hag; shrew.
Nearby words
harpy eagle, harquebus, harquebusier, harrar, harrer, harridan, harrier, harriet, harrietta, harriman, harriman, edward henry
Origin of harridan
1690–1700; perhaps alteration of French haridelle thin, worn-out horse, large, gaunt woman (compared with the initial element of haras stud farm, though derivation is unclear)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for harridan
British Dictionary definitions for harridan
harridan
/ (ˈhærɪdən) /
noun
a scolding old woman; nag
Word Origin for harridan
C17: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to French haridelle, literally: broken-down horse; of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for harridan
harridan
1700, "one that is half Whore, half Bawd" ["Dictionary of the Canting Crew"]; "a decayed strumpet" [Johnson], probably from French haridelle "a poore tit, or leane ill-favored jade," [Cotgrave, 1611], in French from 16c., of unknown origin.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper