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beldam

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bel·dam or bel·dame  (bldm, -dm)
n.
An old woman, especially one who is considered ugly.

[Middle English, grandmother : bel, indicating respect (from Old French bel, fine, from Latin bellus; see deu-2 in Indo-European roots) + dame, lady; see dame.]

beldam, beldame [ˈbɛldəm]
n
1. Archaic an old woman, esp an ugly or malicious one; hag
2. an obsolete word for grandmother
[from bel- grand (as in grandmother), from Old French bel beautiful, from Latin bellus + dam mother, variant of dame]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.beldambeldam - an ugly evil-looking old woman      
old woman - a woman who is old
2.beldam - a woman of advanced age
old woman - a woman who is old


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But the strong-willed old beldam scowled, and beckoned, and flung the energy of her purpose so forcibly at this poor combination of rotten wood, and musty straw, and ragged garments, that it was compelled to show itself a man, in spite of the reality of things.
The wrinkled beldams involved themselves in their rusty cloaks as he passed by; even the mild-featured maidens seemed to dread contamination; and many a stern old man arose, and turned his repulsive and unheavenly countenance upon the gentle boy, as if the sanctuary were polluted by his presence.
 
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