Definition

Noun: 1. A woman of advanced age: An elderly woman, often used in historical or literary contexts. 2. An ugly evil-looking old woman: A derogatory term for an old woman perceived as unattractive, malevolent, or witch-like.

Usage

The word "beldame" is archaic and literary. It is rarely used in modern English except in historical fiction, poetry, or to evoke a specific, often negative, image of an old woman. It can be neutral (simply meaning an old woman) but is more frequently pejorative, implying ugliness, ill temper, or malevolence.

Examples

• As a woman of advanced age (neutral/archaic):
  • The wise beldame of the village knew all the old remedies.
• As an ugly, evil-looking woman (derogatory):
  • In the story, the hero was confronted by a cackling beldame who guarded the cursed treasure.
  • The children were frightened by the old beldame who lived in the dilapidated house.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used to create a gothic, fairy-tale, or medieval atmosphere.
• It can function as a synonym for "hag" or "crone," though "beldame" is less common.

Variants and Related Words

• Beldam: An alternative, equally archaic spelling of "beldame."

Synonyms

• Crone: An ugly old woman (derogatory).
• Hag: A witch-like or repulsive old woman (derogatory).
• Dowager: A dignified widow who holds a title or property from her deceased husband (formal, not derogatory).
• Matriarch: A woman who is the head of a family or tribe (formal, respectful).

Antonyms

• Maiden: A young, unmarried woman.
• Beauty: A beautiful woman.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Old beldame: A common collocation that emphasizes the age and often the negative characteristics of the woman.

Noun

1. a woman of advanced age
2. an ugly evil-looking old woman