Mother Shipton

British  

/ ˈʃɪptən /

noun

1. a day-flying noctuid moth, Callistege mi, mottled brown in colour and named from a fancied resemblance between its darker marking and a haggish profile

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Etymology

Origin of Mother Shipton

named after Mother Shipton, a legendary prophetess in 15th-century Yorkshire

Example Sentences

On that account we hesitate to compare them to Mother Shipton, who was an old woman, or to Nixon, who was an idiot.

From Punch - Volume 25 (Jul-Dec 1853) by Various

Mother Shipton saw it, and from a remote pinnacle of her rocky fastness, hurled in that direction a final malediction.

From Short Stories for English Courses by Mikels, Rosa Mary Redding

I am not going to be turned from my purpose at this time of day by anything that Mother Shipton may say or do.—Yours always, "Jeffrey Wortle."

From Dr. Wortle's School by Trollope, Anthony

Mother Shipton, in one of her prophecies, had said that London would be reduced to ashes, and they refused to make any efforts to prevent it.

From Memoirs of Extraordinary Popular Delusions — Volume 1 by Mackay, Charles

My dear Talbot,—You may be quite sure that I shall not repeat to any one what you have told me of Mother Shipton.

From Dr. Wortle's School by Trollope, Anthony