Termagant: meaning, definitions and examples

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termagant

 

[ ˈtɜːrməɡənt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

characteristic behavior

A harsh-tempered or overbearing woman; a shrew.

Synonyms

harpy, harridan, shrew, virago

Examples of usage

  • She was often described as a termagant by her neighbors.
  • The movie portrayed the evil queen as a termagant ruling with an iron fist.
  • Despite her reputation as a termagant, she was actually quite kind and caring.
  • The termagant boss made life miserable for her employees.
  • The termagant's constant yelling and scolding created a tense atmosphere in the household.
Context #2 | Noun

historical context

A mythical Muslim deity, often represented as a violent and overbearing woman.

Synonyms

deity, divinity, mythical figure

Examples of usage

  • The termagant was a common figure in medieval European literature.
  • The crusaders often depicted their enemies as termagants to justify their conquests.
  • In ancient tales, the termagant was feared for her wrath and cruelty.

Translations

Translations of the word "termagant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 megera

🇮🇳 झगड़ालू महिला

🇩🇪 Zankteufel

🇮🇩 wanita pemarah

🇺🇦 сварлива жінка

🇵🇱 jędza

🇯🇵 口うるさい女

🇫🇷 mégère

🇪🇸 arpía

🇹🇷 cadaloz

🇰🇷 잔소리 많은 여자

🇸🇦 امرأة مشاكسة

🇨🇿 hašteřivá žena

🇸🇰 hašterivá žena

🇨🇳 泼妇

🇸🇮 prepirka

🇮🇸 röflari

🇰🇿 ұрысқақ әйел

🇬🇪 კამათიანი ქალი

🇦🇿 dalaşqan qadın

🇲🇽 arpía

Etymology

The termagant originated from the Middle English word 'Termagaunt,' which was a mythical deity often portrayed as a violent and overbearing character in medieval European literature. Over time, the term evolved to refer to a harsh-tempered or overbearing woman, commonly known as a shrew. The term has been used in various literary works and historical contexts to depict both real and mythical figures with dominating or aggressive characteristics.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,453, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.