quean Meaning, Definition & Usage

Quean noun
Etymology
Originally, a woman, AS. cwene; akin to OS. quena, OHG. quena, Icel. kona, Goth qin, and AS. cwén, also to Gr. woman, wife, Skr. gna goddess. Cf. Queen.
Definitions
  1. A woman; a young or unmarried woman; a girl. Obs. or Scot. Chaucer.
  2. A low woman; a wench; a slut. "The dread of every scolding quean." Gay.

Webster 1913