termagant

UK: /ˈtɜːməɡənt/ US: /ˈtɝməgənt/ ,(tûr′mə gənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ter•ma•gant /ˈtɜrməgənt/   n. [countable]

1. a violent or brawling woman.

adj. 

2. violent;
   brawling;
   shrewish.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ter•ma•gant  (tûr′mə gənt), n. 

1. a violent, turbulent, or brawling woman.
2. Literature (cap.) a mythical deity popularly believed in the Middle Ages to be worshiped by the Muslims and introduced into the morality play as a violent, overbearing personage in long robes.

adj. 

3. violent;
   turbulent;
   brawling;
   shrewish.

• Middle English Termagaunt, earlier Tervagaunt, alteration of Old French Tervagan name of the imaginary deity 1175–1225

ter′ma•gant•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. shrew, virago, harridan, scold.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

termagant / ˈtɜːməɡənt/ noun

1. a domineering woman; scold

Etymology: 13th Century: from earlier Tervagaunt, from Old French Tervagan, from Italian Trivigante; after an arrogant character in medieval mystery plays who was supposed to be a Muslim deity