Definition

1. Noun:
   • A female who is insane: A woman suffering from severe mental illness, particularly one whose behavior is wildly irrational, uncontrolled, or violent.
   • (Archaic/Offensive) A wildly irrational or furious woman: Used to describe a woman behaving in an extremely foolish, angry, or uncontrolled manner. This usage is now generally considered offensive and dated.

Usage

• The term is used as a singular noun to refer to a specific woman. It is considered an archaic and potentially offensive term in modern contexts. Contemporary language prefers more clinical and respectful terms like "a woman with a mental illness" or descriptive phrases.
• It can be used metaphorically or hyperbolically in informal speech to express extreme frustration or criticism of a woman's behavior, though this is often considered pejorative.

Examples

• Literal/Historical Context:

  • In the 19th century, she was unjustly labeled a madwoman and confined to an asylum.
  • The character in the novel is a tragic madwoman living in the attic.

• Metaphorical/Hyperbolic Use (often offensive):

  • She was driving like a madwoman through the storm. (This describes reckless, frantic behavior, not a clinical diagnosis.)

Advanced Usage

• "a madwoman's breakfast": (Australian and New Zealand slang, humorous) A state of extreme mess or disorder.
  • After the party, the kitchen looked like a madwoman's breakfast.

Variants and Related Words

• Madman (n): The male equivalent; a man who is insane or behaves wildly.
• Madness (n): The state of being mad; insanity.
• Lunatic (n/adj): An outdated term for a mentally ill person or someone behaving wildly. Like "madwoman," its use is now often considered offensive.

Synonyms

• Lunatic (n, archaic/offensive): A person who is insane.
• Maniac (n): A person exhibiting extreme symptoms of wild behavior, sometimes violent.
• Psychotic (n/adj, clinical): A person experiencing psychosis, a severe mental disorder. This is a medical term.

Idioms and Phrases

• Like a madwoman: Behaving with frantic, uncontrolled, or extreme energy.
  • She cleaned the house like a madwoman before the guests arrived.

Noun

1. a woman lunatic