noun
harridan
HAIR-ih-dun/ˈhærɪdən/
An insulting term for a harsh, scolding woman.
The angry man dismissed his neighbor as a harridan.
Etymology
Probably from a French word for a lean, ill-favored horse, “harridan” was first recorded as a sexually contemptuous insult for a woman. Its present sense directs the contempt toward harshness or scolding.
In context
should he forget an appointment. But surely he would come on the Sunday! She had been quite sure that the offer was about to be made when that odious old harridan had come in and disturbed everything.
More examples
- The review criticized the script’s tired harridan stereotype.
- She resented being called a harridan for speaking firmly.
- The novel initially presents the landlady as a harridan, then gives her a fuller character.
Forms
harridan · harridans