Termagant: meaning, definitions and examples
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termagant
[ ˈtɜːrməɡənt ]
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.
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
Word origin
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.