What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Virago vs Beldame - What's the difference?

virago | beldame |

As nouns the difference between virago and beldame

is that virago is (said of a woman) Given to undue belligerence or ill manner at the slightest provocation; a shrew, a termagant while beldame is a grandmother.

As an adjective virago

is pertaining to a virago.

virago

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (said of a woman) Given to undue belligerence or ill manner at the slightest provocation; a shrew, a termagant.
  • *, chapter=22
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=Not unnaturally, “Auntie” took this communication in bad part. Thus outraged, she showed herself to be a bold as well as a furious virago . Next day she found her way to their lodgings and tried to recover her ward by the hair of the head.}}
  • (said of a woman) Scolding, domineering, highly opinionated; a fishwife, a nag.
  • (said of a woman) Rough, loud, and aggressive.
  • Adjective

    (-)
  • Pertaining to a virago.
  • * 1964', Joan was all Arden, grinning there, siding with her '''virago mother. — Anthony Burgess, ''Nothing Like the Sun
  • Derived terms

    * viraginity * viraginous ----

    beldame

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) A grandmother.
  • An old woman, particularly an ugly one.
  • * 1847 , (Charlotte Bronte), Jane Eyre :
  • *:... have a curiosity to hear my fortune told: therefore, Sam, order the beldame forward.
  • * 1982 , (TC Boyle), Water Music , Penguin 2006, p. 6:
  • Suddenly the beldam shrieks as if she's been stuck with a dagger, long rasping insuck of breath: ‘Eeeeeeeee!’

    Synonyms

    * (ugly woman) (l), (l), (l) * See also

    References

    *