Beldame

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  beldame
       n 1: an ugly evil-looking old woman [syn: {hag}, {beldam}, {witch},
             {crone}]
       2: a woman of advanced age [syn: {beldam}]