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harridan

[ hahr-i-dn ]
/ ˈhɑr ɪ dn /
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noun
a scolding, vicious woman; hag; shrew.
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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)

Words nearby harridan

Harpy, harpy eagle, harquebus, harquebusier, Harrer, harridan, harried, harrier, Harriet, Harriman, Harrington
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to harridan

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

How to use harridan in a sentence

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