noun
crone
KROHN/krəʊn/
An old woman regarded as ugly or sinister.
The tale's sinister crone has a severe expression and a deeply weathered face.
Etymology
Carogne meant “carrion” or “carcass” and was also used abusively of an old woman. The English sense preserves that contemptuous application rather than a neutral description of age.
In context
i' better not take any chances what are you going to do I'll drop around and see what granny F can read in the cards granny F was an old Crone
More examples
- Calling an older woman a crone is cruel and insulting.
- The actor plays a bitter crone in the school play.
- Three cackling crones block the hero's path through the forest.
Forms
crone · crones
Similar words
- hag
- Hag is a harsher insult and can suggest a witch.