termagant Meaning, Definition & Usage

Ter"ma*gant noun

Etymology

OE. Trivigant, Termagant, Termagant (in sense 1), OF. Tervagan; cf. It. Trivigante.

Definitions

1. An imaginary being supposed by the Christians to be a Mohammedan deity or false god. He is represented in the ancient moralities, farces, and puppet shows as extremely vociferous and tumultous. Obs. Chaucer. "And oftentimes by Termagant and Mahound [Mahomet] swore." Spenser.

   The lesser part on Christ believed well, On Termagant the more, and on Mahound. Fairfax.

2. A boisterous, brawling, turbulent person; -- formerly applied to both sexes, now only to women.

   This terrible termagant, this Nero, this Pharaoh. Bale (1543).

   The slave of an imperious and reckless termagant. Macaulay.

Ter"ma*gant adjective

Definitions

1. Tumultuous; turbulent; boisterous; furious; quarrelsome; scolding. -- Ter"ma*gant*ly, adv.

   A termagant, imperious, prodigal, profligate wench. Arbuthnot.