Shrew: meaning, definitions and examples
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shrew
[ ʃruː ]
animal
A shrew is a small, insectivorous mammal with a long, pointed snout. Shrews are known for their high metabolism and must eat almost constantly to survive. They are typically active at night and have a voracious appetite for insects, worms, and other small invertebrates.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- They found a shrew scurrying around the garden looking for food.
- The shrew's sharp teeth help it to catch and eat its prey quickly.
person
Informally, a shrew is used to describe a woman who is ill-tempered, nagging, or constantly complaining. This term is considered derogatory and offensive, as it reinforces negative stereotypes about women.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He referred to his ex-wife as a shrew, which angered many people.
- Calling a woman a shrew based on her behavior is disrespectful and unfair.
Translations
Translations of the word "shrew" in other languages:
🇵🇹 musaranho
🇮🇳 छछूंदर
🇩🇪 Spitzmaus
🇮🇩 tikus tanah
🇺🇦 землерийка
🇵🇱 ryjówka
🇯🇵 トガリネズミ
🇫🇷 musaraigne
🇪🇸 musaraña
🇹🇷 kirpi faresi
🇰🇷 뒤쥐
🇸🇦 زباب
🇨🇿 rejsek
🇸🇰 rejko
🇨🇳 鼩鼱
🇸🇮 krtek
🇮🇸 nornamús
🇰🇿 жертес
🇬🇪 მუსკი
🇦🇿 siçovul
🇲🇽 musaraña
Word origin
The word 'shrew' originated from Old English 'scrēawa', which referred to a small, agile mammal. Over time, the term evolved to describe both the animal and a disparaging term for women. The negative connotation associated with 'shrew' reflects historical gender stereotypes and societal views on women's behavior.
See also: shrewd, shrewdness.