beldam

[ bel-duh m, -dam ]

/ ˈbɛl dəm, -dæm /

an old woman, especially an ugly one; hag.

Obsolete. grandmother.

Also bel·dame

[bel-duh m, -deym] /ˈbɛl dəm, -ˌdeɪm/.

Origin of beldam

1400–50; late Middle English, equivalent to bel- grand- (< Middle French bel, belle fine; see beau, belle) + dam mother (see dam²)

It was some time before the ruffled temper of the beldame could be appeased: at last, Vanslyperken succeeded.

Snarley-yow |Frederick Marryat
The beldame has suggested that he must be 'liege-lord of all the elves and fays'.

Keats: Poems Published in 1820 |John Keats
What did the beldame mean by saying, "Keep your secret, and I'll keep mine?"

The Room in the Dragon Volant |J. Sheridan LeFanu
Azrael sprang from the ottoman with glowing cheeks, and seized the beldame by the shoulder.

'Midst the Wild Carpathians |Mr Jkai

The beldame looked at him scornfully, and disdained to reply.

For Woman's Love |Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth

beldam

/ (ˈbɛldəm) /

archaic an old woman, esp an ugly or malicious one; hag

an obsolete word for grandmother

C15: from bel- grand (as in grandmother), from Old French bel beautiful, from Latin bellus + dam mother, variant of dame