virago
[vi-rah-goh, -rey-]
- a loud-voiced, ill-tempered, scolding woman; shrew.
- Archaic. a woman of strength or spirit.
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Origin of virago
before 1000; Middle English, Old English < Latin virāgō, equivalent to vir man + -āgō suffix expressing association of some kind, here resemblance
Synonyms
See more synonyms for virago on Thesaurus.com1. scold, nag, termagant, harpy, Xanthippe.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for virago
Historical Examples
He would have crimsoned to the eyes, no doubt, and fled from the virago.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
I got a dispatch from, him quoting the Virago of Paris—meaning the Figaro, of course.
Ah, you coolly come, with that virago on your arm, to make a fool of me before everyone.
L'AssommoirEmile Zola
When he returned he found the virago awaiting him at the door.
The Son of Monte-Cristo, Volume II (of 2)Alexandre Dumas pre
On which the virago says to her victim, "My dear, I thocht it was yersel'!"
The Book-HunterJohn Hill Burton
virago
- a loud, violent, and ill-tempered woman; scold; shrew
- archaic a strong, brave, or warlike woman; amazon
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Word Origin
Old English, from Latin: a manlike maiden, from vir a man
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for virago
n.
late 14c., "man-like or heroic woman," from Latin virago, from vir "man" (see virile). Ælfric (c.1000), following Vulgate, used it in Gen. ii:23 (KJV = woman):
Beo hire nama Uirago, þæt is, fæmne, forðan ðe heo is of hire were genumen.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper