Beldam

Beldam
Beldam Bel"dam Beldame Bel"dame, n. [Pref. bel-, denoting relationship + dame mother: cf. F. belledame fair lady, It. belladonna. See {Belle}, and {Dame}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Grandmother; -- corresponding to belsire. [1913 Webster]

To show the beldam daughters of her daughter. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. An old woman in general; especially, an ugly old woman; a hag.

Syn: hag, beldam, witch, crone. [1913 Webster]

Around the beldam all erect they hang. --Akenside. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Beldam — is* an ancient Greek vase painter, see Beldam Painter * a character of Paper Mario, see …   Wikipedia

  • beldam — aged woman, 1570s; earlier grandmother (mid 15c.), from DAME (Cf. dame) (q.v.) in the sense of mother + bel , M.E. prefix expressing relationship (Cf. belfader, belsire grandfather ), from O.Fr. bel, belle beautiful, fair, fine (see BELLE (Cf.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • beldam — or beldame [bel′dəm] n. [ME, grandmother < bel, good, beautiful < OFr bel, used as term of affection and respect in the Middle Ages (see BEAU) + DAME] 1. Obs. a grandmother 2. an old woman; esp., a hideous old woman; hag …   English World dictionary

  • beldam — or beldame noun Etymology: Middle English beldam grandmother, from Anglo French bel beautiful + Middle English dam Date: 1520 an old woman …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Beldam — This interesting and unusual name, with variant spellings Beldom, Beldham, Beldum and Beldan, derives from the Anglo French beledame , Old French belle dame , translating as beautiful or fine lady, and was originally given as a complimentary… …   Surnames reference

  • beldam — /ˈbɛldæm/ (say beldam) noun Archaic 1. an old woman, especially an ugly one; hag. 2. a grandmother. Also, beldame /ˈbɛldam/ (say beldahm). {Middle English: grandmother, from bel (from Old French: bel, belle fair) used like grand (def. 12) + dam …  

  • Beldam-Maler — Athene auf einer Lekythos, um 480 v. Chr., gefunden in Vari, Archäologisches Nationalmuseum (Athen) Inv. 1061 Der Beldam Maler war ein attischer Vasenmaler des schwarzfigurigen Stils. Beldam Maler ist ein Notname, da der echte Name des Künstlers… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • beldam — /bel deuhm, dam/, n. 1. an old woman, esp. an ugly one; hag. 2. Obs. grandmother. Also, beldame /bel deuhm, daym /. [1400 50; late ME, equiv. to bel grand ( < MF bel, belle fine; see BEAU, BELLE) + dam mother (see DAM2)] * * * …   Universalium

  • beldam — Synonyms and related words: Jezebel, Mafioso, Young Turk, bag, bat, battle ax, beast, berserk, berserker, biddy, bitch, bitch kitty, bomber, brute, cat, common scold, crone, dame, demon, devil, dowager, drab, dragon, fiend, fire eater, firebrand …   Moby Thesaurus

  • beldam — (Roget s Thesaurus II) (or beldame) noun An ugly, frightening old woman: crone, hag, witch. Slang: biddy. Archaic: trot. See BEAUTIFUL …   English dictionary for students

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