Definition

Noun: A termagant is a woman who is habitually scolding, nagging, and bad-tempered. It describes a person (specifically a woman) who is violently overbearing, quarrelsome, and shrewish.

Usage

The word "termagant" is a noun used to label a woman characterized by her aggressive, domineering, and ill-tempered behavior, particularly through constant fault-finding and verbal abuse. It is a strong, dated, and often offensive term.

Examples

• The old play portrayed the queen as a termagant, constantly berating her advisors.
• He dreaded visiting his aunt, who had a reputation as a termagant.
• The character was not a gentle heroine but a termagant who ruled her household with fear.

Advanced Usage

• The term originates from "Termagant," the name of a noisy, violent, overbearing Muslim deity falsely represented in medieval European morality plays. This historical context reinforces the connotations of irrational rage and tyranny.
• It is often used in literary or historical contexts and is considered archaic and pejorative in modern usage.

Variants and Related Words

• Termagancy (noun): The quality or state of being a termagant; shrewish behavior.
  • Her constant termagancy made the home environment unbearable.

Synonyms

• Shrew
• Virago
• Harridan
• Nag
• Scold

Antonyms

• Peacemaker
• Dove
• Gentlewoman

Noun

1. a scolding nagging bad-tempered woman