termagant
[ tur-muh-guhnt ]
/ ˈtɜr mə gənt /
noun
a violent, turbulent, or brawling woman.
(initial capital letter)
a mythical deity popularly believed in the Middle Ages to be worshiped by the Muslims and introduced into the morality play as a violent, overbearing personage in long robes.
adjective
violent; turbulent; brawling; shrewish.
Origin of termagant
1175–1225; Middle English
Termagaunt, earlier
Tervagaunt, alteration of Old French
Tervagan name of the imaginary deity
SYNONYMS FOR termagant
OTHER WORDS FROM termagant
ter·ma·gant·ly, adverbWords nearby termagant
term limit,
term of art,
term paper,
term policy,
term.,
termagant,
terman,
termer,
terminable,
terminal,
terminal artery
Example sentences from the Web for termagant
British Dictionary definitions for termagant
termagant
/ (ˈtɜːməɡənt) /
noun
- a shrewish woman; scold
- (as modifier)a termagant woman
Derived forms of termagant
termagancy, noun termagantly, adverbWord Origin for termagant
C13: from earlier
Tervagaunt, from Old French
Tervagan, from Italian
Trivigante; after an arrogant character in medieval mystery plays who was supposed to be a Muslim deity