BELDAM Definition & Meaning

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beldam

[ bel-duhm, -dam ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an old woman, especially an ugly one; hag.
Obsolete. grandmother.

beldam

/ ˈ��ɛ��ə�� /

noun

archaic.
an old woman, esp an ugly or malicious one; hag
an obsolete word for grandmother

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of beldam¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, equivalent to bel- “grand-” (from Middle French bel, belle “fine, good-looking”) + dam “m�ǳٳ��”; beau, belle, dam ²

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of beldam¹

C15: from bel- grand (as in grandmother ), from Old French bel beautiful, from Latin bellus + dam mother, variant of dame

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“Oh, keep going,” whispered a ghost voice in her ear, “for the beldam is angry.”

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The old beldam called him, and thought him, the shrewdest boy that ever lived; but, in truth, she had left him no longer a boy, in aught but size and looks.

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"Well, well, scornful mistress Lena, you may rue," replied the beldam.

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"That beldam!" he exclaimed, with a terrible oath, and then, "God help them!" he said--twice.

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To show the beldam daughters of her daughter.

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