beldam
/'beldəm/ Cách viết khác : (beldame) /'beldəm/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- An old woman, especially one of advanced age: This is the original, more neutral meaning, though it is now archaic.
- A nasty, ugly, or frightening old woman: This is the more common modern meaning, implying a woman who is malevolent, witch-like, or ill-tempered.
Usage
- The word beldam is now considered archaic and is primarily found in historical texts, literature, or used for dramatic effect. It is almost always pejorative in modern usage, carrying connotations of ugliness, malice, or witchcraft.
Examples
- Noun:
- The children in the village were terrified of the old beldam who lived in the woods.
- In the fairy tale, the hero had to outwit the evil beldam to rescue the princess.
- (Archaic) The kind beldam offered the travelers shelter from the storm.
Advanced Usage
- Literary and Historical Context: The word is often used in Gothic literature, fantasy, or historical fiction to describe a witch-like or sinister elderly female character.
- The playwright used the character of the beldam to represent the corrupting influence of greed.
Variants and Related Words
- Beldame: An alternative spelling with the same meaning.
- Hag (n): A very similar term for an ugly, evil, or witch-like old woman.
- Crone (n): An ugly, withered old woman, often with negative connotations.
- Shrew (n): A bad-tempered or aggressively assertive woman (not necessarily old).
Synonyms
- Hag
- Crone
- Witch
- Harridan (a strict, bossy, or belligerent old woman)
Antonyms
- Maiden (a young unmarried woman)
- Matron (a dignified married woman, typically middle-aged)
Related Idioms and Phrases
- While there are no common idioms using beldam specifically, the concept is central to many fairy tale and folklore tropes, such as the "wicked witch" or the "evil old crone."
Noun
- a woman of advanced age
- an ugly evil-looking old woman