harridan

[hahr-i-dn]

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noun

a scolding, vicious woman; hag; shrew.

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)

Synonyms for harridan

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nag, virago, scold.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for harridan

shrew, vixen, woman, virago, strumpet, hag, crone

Examples from the Web for harridan

Contemporary Examples of harridan

She was suddenly convinced there was no reason to play Martha as harridan.
Liz Taylor's Secret Life
William J. Mann
October 19, 2009

Historical Examples of harridan

I see—old offenders; oh, your humble servant, Mrs. Harridan!
The Adventures of Roderick Random
Tobias Smollett
Ye did not see her, nor know ye if she is old or young, harridan or angel.
The Fair God
Lew Wallace
I have been all my days a dead hand at a harridan, I never saw the one yet that could resist me.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 23 (of 25)
Robert Louis Stevenson
Though he did call Lady Eardham a harridan, he resolved that he would keep his promise for the following morning.
Ralph the Heir
Anthony Trollope
She was undeniably impressive, almost formidable, he conceded privately, with a touch of the shrew and harridan.
A Traveler in Time
August Derleth

British Dictionary definitions for harridan

harridan

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for 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.