Crossword clues for beldam
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Beldam \Bel"dam\ Beldame \Bel"dame\, n. [Pref. bel-, denoting relationship + dame mother: cf. F. belledame fair lady, It. belladonna. See Belle, and Dame.]
-
Grandmother; -- corresponding to belsire.
To show the beldam daughters of her daughter.
--Shak. -
An old woman in general; especially, an ugly old woman; a hag.
Syn: hag, beldam, witch, crone.
Around the beldam all erect they hang.
--Akenside.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"aged woman," 1570s; earlier "grandmother" (mid-15c.), from dame (q.v.) in the sense of "mother" + bel-, Middle English prefix expressing relationship (as in belfader, belsire "grandfather"), from Old French bel, belle "beautiful, fair, fine" (see belle). This "direct relationship" sense of bel is not found in French, where the prefix is used to form words for in-laws.
Wiktionary
n. (alternative spelling of beldame English)
WordNet
Wikipedia
Beldam, an archaic word meaning " hag" or " witch", may also refer to an old woman, particularly an ugly one.
- A character in Paper Mario, see List of characters in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- The primary antagonist, also known as the 'Other Mother' in the Neil Gaiman novella Coraline and its 2009 film adaptation.
- A doom metal/ sludge band from Charlottesville, Virginia
Usage examples of "beldam".
There are two of us still to find, and the beldam is already angry with you for uncovering me.
We came presently, after having agreed on this notable expedient, to one of those hedge-accommodations for foot passengers, at the door do which stood an old crazy beldam, who seeing us trudge by, invited us to lodge there.
There hobbles Goody Foster, a sour and bitter old beldam, looking as if she went to curse, and not to pray, and whom many of her neighbors suspect of taking an occasional airing on a broomstick.
And from one of those dark windows two grey beldams were peering into the night and trembling for the riches that were the price of their souls.
And from one of those dark windows two grey beldams were peering into the night and trembling for the riches that were the price of their souls.
The vesper had been said, yet here and there A wrinkled beldam, or mourner veiled, Or burly burgher on the cold floor knelt, And still the organist, with wandering hands, Drew from the keys mysterious melodies, And filled the church with flying waifs of song, That with ethereal beauty moved the soul To a more tender prayer and gentler faith Than choral anthems and the solemn mass.