harridan
[ hahr-i-dn ]
/ ˈhɑr ɪ dn /
noun
a scolding, vicious woman; hag; shrew.
Origin of harridan
1690–1700; perhaps alteration of French
haridelle thin, worn-out horse, large, gaunt woman (compared with the initial element of
haras stud farm, though derivation is unclear)
Words nearby harridan
harpy eagle,
harquebus,
harquebusier,
harrar,
harrer,
harridan,
harrier,
harriet,
harriman,
harrington,
harris
Example sentences from the Web for harridan
British Dictionary definitions for harridan
harridan
/ (ˈhærɪdən) /
noun
a scolding old woman; nag
Word Origin for harridan
C17: of uncertain origin; perhaps related to French
haridelle, literally: broken-down horse; of obscure origin