shrewn.¹

Brit.

/ʃruː/, U.S.

/ʃru/

Forms: α. Old English screuua, screauua, scraeua, 1500s shreaw, 1500s–1600s shrewe, 1500s– shrew. β. 1500s shrowe, schro, 1700s shrow. γ. 1500s shyrewe, 1800s dialect shirrow, sheroo, shorrow.

Etymology: Old English scréawa, scrǽwa, not found elsewhere in Germanic.Some scholars refer the word to the Germanic *skreu- to cut (see shred n.), comparing, for the sense, Middle High German schermûs ‘sorex’, ‘glio’, ‘talpa’ (modern German schermaus mole, also a kind of mouse), Old English scirfemús ‘sorex’ (related to sceorfan to cut). See, however, shrew n.² With the β forms compare strow strew v. It is possible that in the γ forms there may be some mixture of the (? synonymous) Old English scirfe(mús) : compare the dialect sarrow = serve v.¹ The absence of evidence for the word between the Old English period and the 16th century is remarkable; its place may have been supplied locally in Middle English by erdshrew (i.e. earth-shrew), though this, with its apparent corruptions hard-shrew , hardishrew n., harvest-shrew, nossro, nursrow (with prefixed N 3), is not recorded before the 17th century.

Any of the small insectivorous mammals, belonging to the genus Sorex or the family Soricidæ, much resembling mice but having a long sharp snout; a shrewmouse n.The common European shrew is Sorex vulgaris. For elephant, house, jumping, marsh, mole, musk, otter, pygmy, rat-tailed, river, tree, water shrew, see the qualifying words; also hardishrew n. The shrew was popularly held to be venomous and otherwise injurious; cf. shrew-ash n., shrew-bitten adj., shrew-run n.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > [noun] > order Insectivora > family Soricidae

shrewc725

shrewmouse1572

nossro1686

the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > [noun] > order Insectivora > family Soricidae > genus Sorex (shrew)

shrewc725

mygalea1382

ranny1559

shrewmouse1572

hardishrew1601

muset1601

earth-shrew1607

sorex1607

spitemouse1668

hog mouse1743

wight1795

thraw-mouse1825

saddleback1948

c725 Corpus Gloss. M 336 Musiranus, screauua.

c825 Epinal Gloss. 649 Musiranus, screuua.

a900 Leiden Gloss. 226 Musiranus, scraeua.

1538 T. Elyot Dict. Scytala, a lytel beaste callyd a shyrewe.

1542 T. Elyot Bibliotheca Mus Arancus, a kynde of myse called a shrew, whyche yf it goo ouer a beastes backe, he shall be lame in the chyne.

1551 W. Turner New Herball 169 The poyson of..the feld mouse called a shrew.

1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball 622 The poison of the Scorpion and Shrowe and such like venemous beastes.

1595 A. Duncan Appendix Etymologiae: Index in Latinae Grammaticae Sorex, a rotton, a schro.

1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. xxviii. 195 The shrew by her biting of the horse maketh him oftentimes to die.

1797 Encycl. Brit. XVII. 610 The tucan, or Mexican shrew.

1813 J. C. Prichard Res. Physical Hist. Man iii. 92 The proper Shrews, of which there are ten species.

1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. Shirrow,..the shrew.

1859 C. Darwin Origin of Species xiii. 414 The external similarity of a mouse to a shrew.

1904 J. G. Millais Mammals Great Brit. I. 145 In still summer evenings, when lying in the woods waiting for rabbits to come out, I occasionally catch a momentary glimpse, of the restless, excitable Common Shrew.

Proverb.1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. xiii. sig. Fii Whan al shrews haue dynd, Chaunge from foule wether to faire is oft inclind.1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 73 It does likely hold up, as we say, by that time the Shrews have dined.1849 Lit. Gaz. 7 Apr. 266 It will be fair weather when the shrews have dined.

Compounds

C1. General attributive.

shrew-bitten adj.

ΚΠ

1614 G. Markham Bull in Cheape & Good Husb. xxxix. 61 Of being shrew runne, or shrew bitten. A Shrew Mouse..is a venemous thing [etc.].

shrew-faced adj.

ΚΠ

1913 D. H. Lawrence Sons & Lovers iv. 78 A tall, thin shrew-faced woman.

shrew-like adj.

ΚΠ

1898 Guide Galleries Mammalia Dept. Zool. Brit. Mus. (ed. 6) 108 The shrew-like Tarsipes.

C2.

shrew-afflicted adj. = shrew-struck n.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > convulsive or paralytic disorders > [adjective] > palsy or paralysis > suffering from

lamec725

paralytica1398

palsya1500

lither1513

palsied1551

shrew-run1607

stupid1634

paralysed1763

paretic1822

palsying1834

shrew-afflicted1842

shrew-struck1850

1842 Penny Cycl. XXII. 263 If a person or animal, thus shrew-afflicted, was passed through the arch of a bramble [etc.].

shrew-ash n. (see quot. 1776).

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > healing > veterinary medicine and surgery > [noun] > medicines or applications > medicines or applications for cattle

needfire1633

nossro-tree1686

shrew-ash1776

rumacin1863

the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > tree or shrub groups > ash and allies > [noun]

ashc700

fraynec1325

wood-browna1400

wild ash1552

white ash1578

manna tree1665

black ash1673

white ash1683

water ash1709

manna ash1715

hoop-ash1763

red ash1773

shrew-ash1776

blue ash1783

swamp ash1794

weeping ash1807

green ash1810

cockscomb ash1850

Oregon ash1857

1776 G. White Let. 8 Jan. in Nat. Hist. Selborne (1789) 203 A shrew-ash is an ash whose twigs or branches, when gently applied to the limbs of cattle, will immediately relieve the pains which a beast suffers from the running of a shrew-mouse over the part affected... A shrew-ash was made thus:—Into the body of the tree a deep hole was bored with an auger, and a poor devoted shrew-mouse was thrust in alive, and plugged in, no doubt, with several quaint incantations.

1834 A. E. Bray Warleigh I. xv. 320 So long as I hold in my hand this wand of shrew ash there is nothing to fear. You are..safe from the spirit in this chamber.

shrew-mole n. a mole of either of the genera Scalops and Scapanus.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > [noun] > order Insectivora > family Talpidae > member of genus Scalops

prairie mole1808

shrew-mole1823

Texan shrew-mole1888

the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > [noun] > order Insectivora > family Talpidae > other types of

shrew-mole1823

1823 J. D. Godman Amer. Nat. Hist. (1836) I. 61 The shrew-mole is found abundantly in North America, from Canada to Virginia.

shrew-run n. paralysed (as was supposed) as the result of being overrun by a shrew-mouse.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > convulsive or paralytic disorders > [adjective] > palsy or paralysis > suffering from

lamec725

paralytica1398

palsya1500

lither1513

palsied1551

shrew-run1607

stupid1634

paralysed1763

paretic1822

palsying1834

shrew-afflicted1842

shrew-struck1850

1607 G. Markham Cavelarice vii. 80 If your horse be shrew-runne, you shall looke for a briere which growes at both endes, and draw your horse thorow it and he will be well.

c1720 W. Gibson Farriers New Guide ii. xvi. 71 Many of the Country People..when they see a Horse or a Bullock have his Limbs suddenly taken from him..believe him to be either Planet-struck or Shrow-run.

† shrew-running n. Obsolete (see quot. 1704).

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > convulsive or paralytic disorders > [noun] > palsy or paralysis

palsyc1250

palsy pinec1390

paralysiea1425

paralysis1525

palsy-evil1532

pairls1621

numb palsy1642

numbed palsy1655

shrew-running1704

paralysation1846

palsification1866

shrew-stroke1872

1704 Dict. Rusticum Planet-Struck, or Shrow-Running; in Horses, is a deprivation of Feeling or Motion.

shrew-stroke n. the fact or condition of being shrew-struck.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > convulsive or paralytic disorders > [noun] > palsy or paralysis

palsyc1250

palsy pinec1390

paralysiea1425

paralysis1525

palsy-evil1532

pairls1621

numb palsy1642

numbed palsy1655

shrew-running1704

paralysation1846

palsification1866

shrew-stroke1872

1872 Routledge's Every Boy's Ann. 131 The curative power which alone could heal the Shrew-stroke lay in the branches of a Shrew-ash.

shrew-struck n. = shrew-run n.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > convulsive or paralytic disorders > [adjective] > palsy or paralysis > suffering from

lamec725

paralytica1398

palsya1500

lither1513

palsied1551

shrew-run1607

stupid1634

paralysed1763

paretic1822

palsying1834

shrew-afflicted1842

shrew-struck1850

1850 C. Kingsley Alton Locke I. xxi. 294 When my vather's cows was shrew-struck, she made un be draed under a brimble as growed together at the both ends.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

shrewn.²adj.

Brit.

/ʃruː/, U.S.

/ʃru/

Forms: α. Middle English screwe, ssrewe, shreu, (Middle English schreawe, srewe), Middle English–1500s shrewe, schrew, (1500s shreaw, 1600s shreue), Middle English– shrew. β. Middle English Scottish schraw, 1500s shrowe, shroe, srow, 1500s–1600s shrow. γ. Middle English sherewe, s(s)cherewe.

Etymology: Generally held to be a figurative use of shrew n.¹, the transference of meaning being accounted for by the superstitions as to the malignant influence of the animal: see e.g. quot. 1542 at shrew n.¹ This appears possible; on the other hand, shrew n.¹ may be a specific application of this word in the sense ‘malignant being’; compare Middle High German schröuwel devil.

A. n.²

†a. A wicked, evil-disposed, or malignant man; a mischievous or vexatious person; a rascal, villain.Sometimes emphasized by cursed, false.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > evil person > [noun]

fiendc1220

shrewc1250

quedea1275

felon1340

malfeasorc1380

evil-doer1398

forfeiter1413

pucka1450

malefactor?c1450

wicked-doerc1450

improbe1484

wicked1484

Gomorrheana1529

dunghill1542

felonian1594

naughta1639

black sheep1640

pimp1649

hellicat1816

malfeasant1867

a bad sortc1869

bad seed1954

bloody1960

society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > [noun] > wicked person

warlockOE

shrewc1250

quedea1275

wick1297

felon1340

son of perditionc1384

nicec1400

pucka1450

sorrowc1450

improbe1484

wicked1484

naughtyc1580

stigmatic1597

thornback1599

stigmatist1607

naughta1639

dungeona1728

c1250 Owl & Night. 287 Ne lust me wit þe screwen chide.

c1290 Beket 1917 in S. Eng. Leg. 161 Þe foure þat mest schrewes weren biþouȝten hem of guyle.

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 3020 Þe ssrewen dude seþþe to þis lond suiþe moche wo.

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 321 That schrewe Pilatus.

1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 353 For o schrewe which he spareth A thousand goode men he grieveth.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 14825 Þan come þai to þe phariseus, Of all þai war þe maister schreus.

c1400 Gamelyn 230 While þou were a ȝong boy a moche schrew þou were.

c1400 St. Alexius (Laud) 572 For þat tyme were þe folk of Rome Þe mest shrewen of cristendome.

1461 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 520 These fals shrewes that arn in oppynion contrary to the Kyng.

?1499 J. Skelton Bowge of Courte (de Worde) sig. Bvi Who deleth with shrewes hath nede to loke aboute.

c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12547 All a company is cumbrit for a cursed shrewe.

1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Serm. Rogat. Wk. ii. sig. Qqqqj Now are they taken from me by euil chaunces, and false shrewes, by naughty wretches.

1587 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Iland Brit. (new ed.) ii. xvi. 199/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) I These are some of the policies of such shrews or close booted gentlemen.

1609 T. Dekker Rauens Almanacke sig. H3^v Such as were shrewes to theire wiues.

a1650 Merline 1571 in Furniv. Percy Folio I. 471 Then said Merlyn thoe, ‘hee was a shrew that told you soe’.

β. c1480 (a1400) St. Ninian 459 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 317 Al þai schrawis euire-ilkane.?1577 F. T. Debate Pride & Lowlines sig. Cvii^v To trye a true friend from a shrow.a1650 Merline 1221 in Furniv. Percy Folio I. 460 Thou cursed srow, thou goe vs froe!γ. 13.. Beues (A.) 1211 Hii lowe, þe scherewes, þat him gan wreie.c1386 G. Chaucer Melibeus ⁋232 Dauid seith blisful is that man þat hath nat folwed the conseilyng of sherewes.

†b. Applied to the Devil. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the supernatural > deity > a devil > the Devil or Satan > [noun]

devileOE

Beelzebubc950

the foul ghosteOE

SatanOE

warlockOE

SatanasOE

worsea1200

unwinea1225

wondc1250

quedea1275

pucka1300

serpenta1300

dragon1340

shrew1362

Apollyon1382

the god of this worldc1384

Mahoundc1400

leviathan1412

worsta1425

old enemyc1449

Ruffin1567

dismal1570

Plotcocka1578

the Wicked One1582

goodman1603

Mahu1603

foul thief1609

somebody1609

legiona1616

Lord of Flies1622

walliman1629

shaitan1638

Old Nicka1643

Nick1647

unsel?1675

old gentleman1681

old boy1692

the gentleman in black1693

deuce1694

Black Spy1699

the vicious one1713

worricow1719

Old Roger1725

Lord of the Flies1727

Simmie1728

Old Scratch1734

Old Harry1777

Old Poker1784

Auld Hornie1786

old (auld), ill thief1789

old one1790

little-good1821

Tom Walker1833

bogy1840

diabolarch1845

Old Ned1859

iniquity1899

c1315 Shoreham vii. 470 Þaȝ god soffrede such a schreawe Al for to spylle.]

1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. x. 209 Þei don vuele and þe deuel plesen, And aftur heore deþ day schul dwelle wiþ þe schrewe.

c1386 G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Tale 364 Though þat the feend noght in oure sighte hym shewe I trowe he with vs be þat ilke shrewe.

c1500 New Notbroune Mayd 13 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. III. 2 Yet yf that shrewe To hym pursue That clepyd is Sathan.

†c. Applied to a malignant planet. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the universe > heavenly body > as influence on mankind > [noun] > influence > planet as > malign

shrewc1400

infortunec1405

c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §4. 19 Þat he be nat retrograd ne combust, ne ioigned with no shrewe in the same signe.

†d. Used as a term of abuse: Wretch, villain.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > inferior person > [noun] > as abused

warlockOE

swinec1175

beastc1225

wolf's-fista1300

avetrolc1300

congeonc1300

dirtc1300

slimec1315

snipec1325

lurdanc1330

misbegetc1330

sorrowa1350

shrew1362

jordan1377

wirlingc1390

frog?a1400

warianglea1400

wretcha1400

horcop14..

turdc1400

callet1415

lotterela1450

paddock?a1475

souter1478

chuff?a1500

langbain?c1500

cockatrice1508

sow1508

spink1508

wilrone1508

rook?a1513

streaker?a1513

dirt-dauber?1518

marmoset1523

babiona1529

poll-hatcheta1529

bear-wolf1542

misbegotten1546

pig1546

excrement1561

mamzer1562

chuff-cat1563

varlet1566

toada1568

mandrake1568

spider1568

rat1571

bull-beef1573

mole-catcher1573

suppository1573

curtal1578

spider-catcher1579

mongrela1585

roita1585

stickdirta1585

dogfish1589

Poor John1589

dog's facec1590

tar-boxa1592

baboon1592

pot-hunter1592

venom1592

porcupine1594

lick-fingers1595

mouldychaps1595

tripe1595

conundrum1596

fat-guts1598

thornback1599

land-rat1600

midriff1600

stinkardc1600

Tartar1600

tumbril1601

lobster1602

pilcher1602

windfucker?1602

stinker1607

hog rubber1611

shad1612

splay-foot1612

tim1612

whit1612

verdugo1616

renegado1622

fish-facea1625

flea-trapa1625

hound's head1633

mulligrub1633

nightmare1633

toad's-guts1634

bitch-baby1638

shagamuffin1642

shit-breech1648

shitabed1653

snite1653

pissabed1672

bastard1675

swab1687

tar-barrel1695

runt1699

fat-face1740

shit-sack1769

vagabond1842

shick-shack1847

soor1848

b1851

stink-pot1854

molie1871

pig-dog1871

schweinhund1871

wind-sucker1880

fucker1893

cocksucker1894

wart1896

so-and-so1897

swine-hound1899

motherfucker1918

S.O.B.1918

twat1922

mong1926

mucker1929

basket1936

cowson1936

zombie1936

meatball1937

shower1943

chickenshit1945

mugger1945

motherferyer1946

hooer1952

morpion1954

mother1955

mother-raper1959

louser1960

effer1961

salaud1962

gunk1964

scunge1967

1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. vii. 143 To Pers þe plouh Mon one profrede his gloue,..And bad go pisse him with his plouh, pillede screwe [v.rr. s(c)hrewe]!

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiii. 135 Shrew, pepe! Thus late as thou goys, What wyll men suppos?

?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 43 That auld schrew, schame him betide.

e. pseudo-archaic. In a weakened use, to express playful reprobation.

ΚΠ

1888 R. L. Stevenson Black Arrow i. i. 26 Take me this old shrew softly to the nearest elm, and hang me him tenderly by the neck.

1888 R. L. Stevenson Black Arrow i. i. 30 Our poor shrew of a parson is, by some mad soul, accused of slaying him.

†2. A thing of evil nature or influence; something troublesome or vexatious. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > evil thing > [noun]

shrewc1315

bad1576

malum in se1622

naughta1639

society > morality > moral evil > [noun] > evil thing

shrewc1315

naughta1639

a double whammy1951

c1315 Shoreham iv. 207 And ase god dyȝt þeawes In alle gode men, Þe feend a-rayeþ þe schreawes In wykken þer a-ȝen.

c1450 Godstow Reg. 629 That this his yifte shold not fro that tyme be reuoked by ony machynacion or shrew.

a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxviii. 568 Than seide Dodinell the sauage that it were a shrewe to go, for in this foreste is noon rescettes.

a1500 Brome Bk. (1886) 12 Take iij schrewys. [A waspe, a wesill, a woman.]

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ecclus. xxxi. 12 Remembre, that an euell eye is a shrew.

1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxvii. 166 If to great a multitude making to great a state do not proue a shrew, then am I deceyued.

1620 T. Granger Syntagma Logicum 223 Enmitie, hatred, and ill will is a shrew.

a. A person, esp. (now only) a woman given to railing or scolding or other perverse or malignant behaviour; frequently a scolding or turbulent wife.For the proverbial collocation of sheep and shrew see sheep n. 5b.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > ill-naturedness > ill nature in woman or shrewishness > [noun] > shrew

scoldc1175

shrewc1386

viragoc1386

scolder1423

common scold1467

wild cat1570

vixen1575

callet1577

termagant1578

(Long) Meg of Westminster1589

butter whore1592

cotquean1593

scrattop1593

scoldsterc1600

butter-quean1613

Xantippea1616

fury1620

Tartar1669

fish-woman1698

cross-patch1699

Whitechapel fortune1734

brimstone1751

randy1762

fish-fag1786

rantipole1790

skellata1810

skimmington1813

targer1822

skellat-bell1827

catamaran1834

nagster1873

yenta1923

α.

c1386 G. Chaucer Merchant's Tale Epil. 10 But of hir tonge a lobbyng shrewe is she.

a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS 547/380 He þat his tonge con not holde, In cumpaygnye a schrewe is tolde.

a1450 J. Myrc Instr. to Par. Priests 59 Wymmenes speche that ben schrewes, Turne ofte a-way gode thewes.

c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 1282 For now, I am in certen, I have a Stepmodir: They been shrewis som.

?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 47 I schaw ȝow, sister, in schrift, I wes a schrew euer.

1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue ii. vi. sig. I Euery man can rule a shrewe saue he that hath her.

1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xxiv. 245 To be a shrewe in the kitchin, a saint in the Church.

1609 C. Butler Feminine Monarchie i. sig. A7 They [bees] are like vnto incorrigible shrews: there is no dealing with them but by patience.

a1720 W. Sewel Hist. Quakers (1795) I. iii. 200 His wife who was a wicked shrew.

1819 W. Irving Rip Van Winkle in Sketch Bk. i. 61 Those men are most..conciliating abroad, who are under the discipline of shrews at home.

1839 W. Irving Legend of Communipaw in Knickerbocker Oct. 347 He brought home with him a wife, who seemed to be a shrew, and to have the upper hand of him.

β. 1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades i. 12 Iuno Dame that shrowe.1584 G. Peele Araygnem. Paris iv. iii. sig. Dij^v Vul. A harletrie I warrant her. Bac. A peeuish eluish shroe [rhyme so].1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. iii. x. 609 Happy he..[that] Pan and old Silvan knowes, And all the sister shrowes.1608 R. Tofte tr. L. Ariosto Satyres iv. 55 Silence cuts a shrow worse then a sword.a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) v. ii. 193 Now goe thy wayes, thou hast tam'd a curst Shrow . 1659 Lady Alimony v. iii. sig. Ki He that will practise the art of swinging in a Halter, either to please or cross a Shrows humour.figurative.1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 83 Marriage is honourable, but House-keeping is a Shrew.1742 E. Young Complaint: Night the Third 25 To love, and hate The same vain World; to censure, and espouse This painted Shrew of Life.

†b. jocularly for: A wife. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > married person > married woman > [noun] > wife

wifeeOE

womanc1275

peerc1330

spousessc1384

ladyc1390

good lady1502

girl?a1513

spousage1513

little lady1523

the weaker vessel1526

companion1535

wedlock1566

Mrs1572

dame1574

rib?1590

feme1595

fathom1602

feme covert1602

shrew1606

wife of one's bosom1611

kickie-wickiea1616

heifer1616

sposa1624

bosom-partner1633

goodwife1654

little woman1715

squaw1767

the Mrs1821

missus1823

maw1826

lady wife1840

tart1864

mistress1873

mama1916

ball and chain1921

trouble and strife1929

old boot1958

1606 N. Breton Poste with Packet Madde Lett. (new ed.) II. sig. D2 With commendations to youre kind sonne, youre, selfe, and your good Shrew.

B. adj.

= shrewd adj. (in various senses); wicked, evil-disposed; bad; shrewish, ill-tempered.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > ill-nature > [adjective]

shrew1297

shrewd13..

maliciousc1330

ill-disposedc1460

shrewishc1480

indisposed1481

misaffectionate1533

unsavoury1568

ill-conditioned1614

ill-natured1645

unamiable1711

malignant1785

ill-thriven1806

nasty1825

beastly1911

the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > ill-nature > [adjective]

shrew1297

shrewd13..

maliciousc1330

ill-disposedc1460

shrewishc1480

indisposed1481

unsavoury1568

ill-natured1656

unamiable1774

ill-thriven1806

nasty1825

the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > ill-naturedness > ill nature in woman or shrewishness > [adjective]

shrew1297

shrewda1387

scoldinga1533

shrewish?1566

cotquean-like1581

virago1598

vixena1660

termagant1668

vixenlya1677

calleting1691

rudas1802

termagantish1823

vixenish1828

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2091 & so þei ssrewe robeours abbe hor wille.

1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 6718 A ssrewe & luþer dom.

c1305 St. Kenelm 202 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 53 Þis quene..schrewe leuedi bicom ynouȝ.

13.. Beues (A.) 398 Go hom, truant!.. Scherewe houre sone.

1480 Table Prouffytable Lernynge (Caxton) (1964) 42 Pieryne his doughter Is the shrewest [Fr. la pieure] ghyrle That I knowe on this side the see.

1638 R. Baillie Let. 22 July (1841) I. 76 He of Liberton does us a very shreue turne.

Compounds

C1. attributive and in other combinations, as shrew-tamer, shrew-wife; shrew-ridden adj.

ΚΠ

1808 M. T. Kemble Day after Wedding 8 Accomplish that, and I'll acknowledge you the Prince of Shrew-tamers.

1911 Chambers's Jrnl. Dec. 774/2 The snappish utterances of his shrew-wife.

1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xv. [Circe] 411 We have shrewridden Shakespeare and henpecked Socrates.

C2.

† shrew-shake adj. (also shrew-shaken) Obsolete ? cured of shrewishness.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > obedience > submissiveness > [adjective] > cured of shrewishness

shrew-shakec1530

c1530 in R. Dyboski Songs, Carols, & Other Misc. Poems (1908) 110 Þe wyff was sum~what shrew shake.

1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Ovj^v To be obedient, to be shrewshaken, to bryng vp her childern well [etc.].

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

† shrewv.

Forms: α. Middle English–1500s shrewe, schrew(e, 1600s 'shrew, Middle English– shrew. β. Middle English schrowe, 1500s shrow, Scottish schir(r)o, 1500s–1600s, Scottish schro, 1600s shrue.

Etymology: apparently < shrew n.²; compare beshrew v.

Obsolete.

1. transitive. To curse; = beshrew v. 3. Chiefly in imprecations I shrew…(occasionally with I omitted).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > state of being accursed > [verb (transitive)]

waryc725

accurselOE

for-waryc1175

cursec1200

bana1275

beshrewc1325

shrew1338

maledighta1400

destinyc1400

damn1477

detest1533

beshrompa1549

widdle1552

becurse1570

malison1588

execrate1612

imprecate1613

maledict1780

the mind > language > malediction > [verb (transitive)]

waryc725

accurselOE

forcurse1154

cursec1175

for-waryc1175

bana1275

ashend1297

to bid (something) misadventurec1330

shrew1338

beshrew1377

maledighta1400

to fare (also go, come) to mischancec1400

defyc1430

destinya1450

condemn1489

detest1533

adjure1539

beshrompa1549

widdle1552

becurse1570

malison1588

consecrate1589

exaugurate1600

execrate1612

imprecate1616

blasta1634

damna1640

vote1644

to swear at ——1680

devote1749

maledict1780

comminate1801

bless1814

peste1824

cuss1863

bedamn1875

mugger1951

the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > corruption > [verb (transitive)]

forbraidc888

besmiteeOE

awemOE

filec1175

soila1250

envenomc1300

beshrewc1325

shrew1338

corrumpa1340

corrupt1382

subvertc1384

tache1390

poison1395

infect?c1400

intoxicatec1450

deprave1482

corrup1483

rust1493

turkess?1521

vitiate1534

prevary?1541

depravate1548

fester?1548

turkish1560

wry1563

taint1573

disalter1579

prevaricate1595

sophisticate1597

invitiate1598

fashion1600

tack1601

debauch1603

deturpate1623

disaltern1635

ulcer1642

deboise1654

Neronize1673

demoralize1794

bedevil1800

α.

c1386 G. Chaucer Nun's Priest's Tale 606 I shrewe vs bothe two And first I shrewe my self bothe blood and bones If thou bigyle me.

c1386 G. Chaucer Summoner's Tale 519 O vile proude cherl I shrewe his face.

1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. vii. 75 [I] Venged me fele tymes..and shrewede myn emcristyne.

c1403 T. Clanvowe Cuckoo & Nightingale 250 I shrewe al hem that been of love untrewe.

a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. ii. 21 Here will I lig thise fourty dayes, And I shrew hym that me fyrst rayse.

a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister (?1566) i. iii. sig. B.iij I shrew them that say nay, and that shall not be I.

a1568 Bannatyne MS (Hunterian Club) 269 I wait nocht gif thir lawis be gud, I schrew thame first thame fand.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) i. ii. 283 'Shrew my heart.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) ii. iii. 139.

β. 1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 236 I schrowe alle þer maners, þat lufes þer partie.a1529 J. Skelton Poems against Garnesche in Poet Wks. (1843) I. 130 To know thy selfe yf thow lake grace, Lerne or be lewde, I shrow thy face.a1568 Bannatyne MS (Hunterian Club) 377 Ye hurt me now, schirro your fais.15.. Wowing of Jok & Jynny 15 in Bannatyne MS. (Hunterian Club) 388 I schro the, lyar, full leis me yow.1663 ‘P. Stampoy’ Coll. Sc. Prov. 48 Shro the ghuest the house is the war of.

2. To deprave; = beshrew v. 1. rare.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries.

ΘΚΠ

society > morality > moral evil > moral or spiritual degeneration > degrading or impairing morally > degrade or impair morally [verb (transitive)] > make wicked or evil

beshrewc1325

shrewc1440

c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 449/1 Schrewyn, pravo.

3. To treat shrewishly; to scold. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > rebuke or reprove [verb (transitive)] > scold

chidec1230

ban1340

tongue1388

rate1393

flite14..

rehetec1400

janglec1430

chafec1485

rattle1542

berate1548

quarrel1587

hazen?1608

bequarrel1624

huff1674

shrewa1687

to claw away, off1692

tongue-pad1707

to blow up1710

scold1718

rag1739

redd1776

bullyraga1790

jaw1810

targe1825

haze1829

overhaul1840

tongue-walk1841

trim1882

to call down1883

tongue-lash1887

roar1917

to go off at (a person)1941

chew1948

wrinch2009

a1687 C. Cotton Poems (1689) 38 If too wary, then she'll shrue thee.

1883 M. E. Braddon Golden Calf xx She shrewed me so abominably..that my pride was roused.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online June 2021).

n.¹c725

n.²adj.c1250

v.1338

单词	shrew
释义	shrewn.¹ Brit. /ʃruː/, U.S. /ʃru/ Forms: α. Old English screuua, screauua, scraeua, 1500s shreaw, 1500s–1600s shrewe, 1500s– shrew. β. 1500s shrowe, schro, 1700s shrow. γ. 1500s shyrewe, 1800s dialect shirrow, sheroo, shorrow. Etymology: Old English scréawa, scrǽwa, not found elsewhere in Germanic.Some scholars refer the word to the Germanic skreu- to cut (see shred n.), comparing, for the sense, Middle High German schermûs* ‘sorex’, ‘glio’, ‘talpa’ (modern German schermaus mole, also a kind of mouse), Old English scirfemús ‘sorex’ (related to sceorfan to cut). See, however, shrew n.² With the β forms compare strow strew v. It is possible that in the γ forms there may be some mixture of the (? synonymous) Old English scirfe(mús) : compare the dialect sarrow = serve v.¹ The absence of evidence for the word between the Old English period and the 16th century is remarkable; its place may have been supplied locally in Middle English by erdshrew (i.e. earth-shrew), though this, with its apparent corruptions hard-shrew , hardishrew n., harvest-shrew, nossro, nursrow (with prefixed N 3), is not recorded before the 17th century. Any of the small insectivorous mammals, belonging to the genus Sorex or the family Soricidæ, much resembling mice but having a long sharp snout; a shrewmouse n.The common European shrew is Sorex vulgaris. For elephant, house, jumping, marsh, mole, musk, otter, pygmy, rat-tailed, river, tree, water shrew, see the qualifying words; also hardishrew n. The shrew was popularly held to be venomous and otherwise injurious; cf. shrew-ash n., shrew-bitten adj., shrew-run n. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > [noun] > order Insectivora > family Soricidae shrewc725 shrewmouse1572 nossro1686 the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > [noun] > order Insectivora > family Soricidae > genus Sorex (shrew) shrewc725 mygalea1382 ranny1559 shrewmouse1572 hardishrew1601 muset1601 earth-shrew1607 sorex1607 spitemouse1668 hog mouse1743 wight1795 thraw-mouse1825 saddleback1948 c725 Corpus Gloss. M 336 Musiranus, screauua. c825 Epinal Gloss. 649 Musiranus, screuua. a900 Leiden Gloss. 226 Musiranus, scraeua. 1538 T. Elyot Dict. Scytala, a lytel beaste callyd a shyrewe. 1542 T. Elyot Bibliotheca Mus Arancus, a kynde of myse called a shrew, whyche yf it goo ouer a beastes backe, he shall be lame in the chyne. 1551 W. Turner New Herball 169 The poyson of..the feld mouse called a shrew. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball 622 The poison of the Scorpion and Shrowe and such like venemous beastes. 1595 A. Duncan Appendix Etymologiae: Index in Latinae Grammaticae Sorex, a rotton, a schro. 1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. xxviii. 195 The shrew by her biting of the horse maketh him oftentimes to die. 1797 Encycl. Brit. XVII. 610 The tucan, or Mexican shrew. 1813 J. C. Prichard Res. Physical Hist. Man iii. 92 The proper Shrews, of which there are ten species. 1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. Shirrow,..the shrew. 1859 C. Darwin Origin of Species xiii. 414 The external similarity of a mouse to a shrew. 1904 J. G. Millais Mammals Great Brit. I. 145 In still summer evenings, when lying in the woods waiting for rabbits to come out, I occasionally catch a momentary glimpse, of the restless, excitable Common Shrew. Proverb.1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. xiii. sig. Fii Whan al shrews haue dynd, Chaunge from foule wether to faire is oft inclind.1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 73 It does likely hold up, as we say, by that time the Shrews have dined.1849 Lit. Gaz. 7 Apr. 266 It will be fair weather when the shrews have dined. Compounds C1. General attributive. shrew-bitten adj. ΚΠ 1614 G. Markham Bull in Cheape & Good Husb. xxxix. 61 Of being shrew runne, or shrew bitten. A Shrew Mouse..is a venemous thing [etc.]. shrew-faced adj. ΚΠ 1913 D. H. Lawrence Sons & Lovers iv. 78 A tall, thin shrew-faced woman. shrew-like adj. ΚΠ 1898 Guide Galleries Mammalia Dept. Zool. Brit. Mus. (ed. 6) 108 The shrew-like Tarsipes. C2. shrew-afflicted adj. = shrew-struck n. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > convulsive or paralytic disorders > [adjective] > palsy or paralysis > suffering from lamec725 paralytica1398 palsya1500 lither1513 palsied1551 shrew-run1607 stupid1634 paralysed1763 paretic1822 palsying1834 shrew-afflicted1842 shrew-struck1850 1842 Penny Cycl. XXII. 263 If a person or animal, thus shrew-afflicted, was passed through the arch of a bramble [etc.]. shrew-ash n. (see quot. 1776). ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > healing > veterinary medicine and surgery > [noun] > medicines or applications > medicines or applications for cattle needfire1633 nossro-tree1686 shrew-ash1776 rumacin1863 the world > plants > particular plants > trees and shrubs > tree or shrub groups > ash and allies > [noun] ashc700 fraynec1325 wood-browna1400 wild ash1552 white ash1578 manna tree1665 black ash1673 white ash1683 water ash1709 manna ash1715 hoop-ash1763 red ash1773 shrew-ash1776 blue ash1783 swamp ash1794 weeping ash1807 green ash1810 cockscomb ash1850 Oregon ash1857 1776 G. White Let. 8 Jan. in Nat. Hist. Selborne (1789) 203 A shrew-ash is an ash whose twigs or branches, when gently applied to the limbs of cattle, will immediately relieve the pains which a beast suffers from the running of a shrew-mouse over the part affected... A shrew-ash was made thus:—Into the body of the tree a deep hole was bored with an auger, and a poor devoted shrew-mouse was thrust in alive, and plugged in, no doubt, with several quaint incantations. 1834 A. E. Bray Warleigh I. xv. 320 So long as I hold in my hand this wand of shrew ash there is nothing to fear. You are..safe from the spirit in this chamber. shrew-mole n. a mole of either of the genera Scalops and Scapanus. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > [noun] > order Insectivora > family Talpidae > member of genus Scalops prairie mole1808 shrew-mole1823 Texan shrew-mole1888 the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > [noun] > order Insectivora > family Talpidae > other types of shrew-mole1823 1823 J. D. Godman Amer. Nat. Hist. (1836) I. 61 The shrew-mole is found abundantly in North America, from Canada to Virginia. shrew-run n. paralysed (as was supposed) as the result of being overrun by a shrew-mouse. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > convulsive or paralytic disorders > [adjective] > palsy or paralysis > suffering from lamec725 paralytica1398 palsya1500 lither1513 palsied1551 shrew-run1607 stupid1634 paralysed1763 paretic1822 palsying1834 shrew-afflicted1842 shrew-struck1850 1607 G. Markham Cavelarice vii. 80 If your horse be shrew-runne, you shall looke for a briere which growes at both endes, and draw your horse thorow it and he will be well. c1720 W. Gibson Farriers New Guide ii. xvi. 71 Many of the Country People..when they see a Horse or a Bullock have his Limbs suddenly taken from him..believe him to be either Planet-struck or Shrow-run. † shrew-running n. Obsolete (see quot. 1704). ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > convulsive or paralytic disorders > [noun] > palsy or paralysis palsyc1250 palsy pinec1390 paralysiea1425 paralysis1525 palsy-evil1532 pairls1621 numb palsy1642 numbed palsy1655 shrew-running1704 paralysation1846 palsification1866 shrew-stroke1872 1704 Dict. Rusticum Planet-Struck, or Shrow-Running; in Horses, is a deprivation of Feeling or Motion. shrew-stroke n. the fact or condition of being shrew-struck. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > convulsive or paralytic disorders > [noun] > palsy or paralysis palsyc1250 palsy pinec1390 paralysiea1425 paralysis1525 palsy-evil1532 pairls1621 numb palsy1642 numbed palsy1655 shrew-running1704 paralysation1846 palsification1866 shrew-stroke1872 1872 Routledge's Every Boy's Ann. 131 The curative power which alone could heal the Shrew-stroke lay in the branches of a Shrew-ash. shrew-struck n. = shrew-run n. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > convulsive or paralytic disorders > [adjective] > palsy or paralysis > suffering from lamec725 paralytica1398 palsya1500 lither1513 palsied1551 shrew-run1607 stupid1634 paralysed1763 paretic1822 palsying1834 shrew-afflicted1842 shrew-struck1850 1850 C. Kingsley Alton Locke I. xxi. 294 When my vather's cows was shrew-struck, she made un be draed under a brimble as growed together at the both ends. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2022). shrewn.²adj. Brit. /ʃruː/, U.S. /ʃru/ Forms: α. Middle English screwe, ssrewe, shreu, (Middle English schreawe, srewe), Middle English–1500s shrewe, schrew, (1500s shreaw, 1600s shreue), Middle English– shrew. β. Middle English Scottish schraw, 1500s shrowe, shroe, srow, 1500s–1600s shrow. γ. Middle English sherewe, s(s)cherewe. Etymology: Generally held to be a figurative use of shrew n.¹, the transference of meaning being accounted for by the superstitions as to the malignant influence of the animal: see e.g. quot. 1542 at shrew n.¹ This appears possible; on the other hand, shrew n.¹ may be a specific application of this word in the sense ‘malignant being’; compare Middle High German schröuwel devil. A. n.² 1. †a. A wicked, evil-disposed, or malignant man; a mischievous or vexatious person; a rascal, villain.Sometimes emphasized by cursed, false. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > evil person > [noun] fiendc1220 shrewc1250 quedea1275 felon1340 malfeasorc1380 evil-doer1398 forfeiter1413 pucka1450 malefactor?c1450 wicked-doerc1450 improbe1484 wicked1484 Gomorrheana1529 dunghill1542 felonian1594 naughta1639 black sheep1640 pimp1649 hellicat1816 malfeasant1867 a bad sortc1869 bad seed1954 bloody1960 society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > [noun] > wicked person warlockOE shrewc1250 quedea1275 wick1297 felon1340 son of perditionc1384 nicec1400 pucka1450 sorrowc1450 improbe1484 wicked1484 naughtyc1580 stigmatic1597 thornback1599 stigmatist1607 naughta1639 dungeona1728 c1250 Owl & Night. 287 Ne lust me wit þe screwen chide. c1290 Beket 1917 in S. Eng. Leg. 161 Þe foure þat mest schrewes weren biþouȝten hem of guyle. 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 3020 Þe ssrewen dude seþþe to þis lond suiþe moche wo. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1872) IV. 321 That schrewe Pilatus. 1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 353 For o schrewe which he spareth A thousand goode men he grieveth. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 14825 Þan come þai to þe phariseus, Of all þai war þe maister schreus. c1400 Gamelyn 230 While þou were a ȝong boy a moche schrew þou were. c1400 St. Alexius (Laud) 572 For þat tyme were þe folk of Rome Þe mest shrewen of cristendome. 1461 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 520 These fals shrewes that arn in oppynion contrary to the Kyng. ?1499 J. Skelton Bowge of Courte (de Worde) sig. Bvi Who deleth with shrewes hath nede to loke aboute. c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 12547 All a company is cumbrit for a cursed shrewe. 1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Serm. Rogat. Wk. ii. sig. Qqqqj Now are they taken from me by euil chaunces, and false shrewes, by naughty wretches. 1587 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Iland Brit. (new ed.) ii. xvi. 199/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) I These are some of the policies of such shrews or close booted gentlemen. 1609 T. Dekker Rauens Almanacke sig. H3^v Such as were shrewes to theire wiues. a1650 Merline 1571 in Furniv. Percy Folio I. 471 Then said Merlyn thoe, ‘hee was a shrew that told you soe’. β. c1480 (a1400) St. Ninian 459 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 317 Al þai schrawis euire-ilkane.?1577 F. T. Debate Pride & Lowlines sig. Cvii^v To trye a true friend from a shrow.a1650 Merline 1221 in Furniv. Percy Folio I. 460 Thou cursed srow, thou goe vs froe!γ. 13.. Beues (A.) 1211 Hii lowe, þe scherewes, þat him gan wreie.c1386 G. Chaucer Melibeus ⁋232 Dauid seith blisful is that man þat hath nat folwed the conseilyng of sherewes. †b. Applied to the Devil. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > the supernatural > deity > a devil > the Devil or Satan > [noun] devileOE Beelzebubc950 the foul ghosteOE SatanOE warlockOE SatanasOE worsea1200 unwinea1225 wondc1250 quedea1275 pucka1300 serpenta1300 dragon1340 shrew1362 Apollyon1382 the god of this worldc1384 Mahoundc1400 leviathan1412 worsta1425 old enemyc1449 Ruffin1567 dismal1570 Plotcocka1578 the Wicked One1582 goodman1603 Mahu1603 foul thief1609 somebody1609 legiona1616 Lord of Flies1622 walliman1629 shaitan1638 Old Nicka1643 Nick1647 unsel?1675 old gentleman1681 old boy1692 the gentleman in black1693 deuce1694 Black Spy1699 the vicious one1713 worricow1719 Old Roger1725 Lord of the Flies1727 Simmie1728 Old Scratch1734 Old Harry1777 Old Poker1784 Auld Hornie1786 old (auld), ill thief1789 old one1790 little-good1821 Tom Walker1833 bogy1840 diabolarch1845 Old Ned1859 iniquity1899 c1315 Shoreham vii. 470 Þaȝ god soffrede such a schreawe Al for to spylle.] 1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. x. 209 Þei don vuele and þe deuel plesen, And aftur heore deþ day schul dwelle wiþ þe schrewe. c1386 G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Tale 364 Though þat the feend noght in oure sighte hym shewe I trowe he with vs be þat ilke shrewe. c1500 New Notbroune Mayd 13 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. III. 2 Yet yf that shrewe To hym pursue That clepyd is Sathan. †c. Applied to a malignant planet. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > the universe > heavenly body > as influence on mankind > [noun] > influence > planet as > malign shrewc1400 infortunec1405 c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §4. 19 Þat he be nat retrograd ne combust, ne ioigned with no shrewe in the same signe. †d. Used as a term of abuse: Wretch, villain. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > inferior person > [noun] > as abused warlockOE swinec1175 beastc1225 wolf's-fista1300 avetrolc1300 congeonc1300 dirtc1300 slimec1315 snipec1325 lurdanc1330 misbegetc1330 sorrowa1350 shrew1362 jordan1377 wirlingc1390 frog?a1400 warianglea1400 wretcha1400 horcop14.. turdc1400 callet1415 lotterela1450 paddock?a1475 souter1478 chuff?a1500 langbain?c1500 cockatrice1508 sow1508 spink1508 wilrone1508 rook?a1513 streaker?a1513 dirt-dauber?1518 marmoset1523 babiona1529 poll-hatcheta1529 bear-wolf1542 misbegotten1546 pig1546 excrement1561 mamzer1562 chuff-cat1563 varlet1566 toada1568 mandrake1568 spider1568 rat1571 bull-beef1573 mole-catcher1573 suppository1573 curtal1578 spider-catcher1579 mongrela1585 roita1585 stickdirta1585 dogfish1589 Poor John1589 dog's facec1590 tar-boxa1592 baboon1592 pot-hunter1592 venom1592 porcupine1594 lick-fingers1595 mouldychaps1595 tripe1595 conundrum1596 fat-guts1598 thornback1599 land-rat1600 midriff1600 stinkardc1600 Tartar1600 tumbril1601 lobster1602 pilcher1602 windfucker?1602 stinker1607 hog rubber1611 shad1612 splay-foot1612 tim1612 whit1612 verdugo1616 renegado1622 fish-facea1625 flea-trapa1625 hound's head1633 mulligrub1633 nightmare1633 toad's-guts1634 bitch-baby1638 shagamuffin1642 shit-breech1648 shitabed1653 snite1653 pissabed1672 bastard1675 swab1687 tar-barrel1695 runt1699 fat-face1740 shit-sack1769 vagabond1842 shick-shack1847 soor1848 b1851 stink-pot1854 molie1871 pig-dog1871 schweinhund1871 wind-sucker1880 fucker1893 cocksucker1894 wart1896 so-and-so1897 swine-hound1899 motherfucker1918 S.O.B.1918 twat1922 mong1926 mucker1929 basket1936 cowson1936 zombie1936 meatball1937 shower1943 chickenshit1945 mugger1945 motherferyer1946 hooer1952 morpion1954 mother1955 mother-raper1959 louser1960 effer1961 salaud1962 gunk1964 scunge1967 1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. vii. 143 To Pers þe plouh Mon one profrede his gloue,..And bad go pisse him with his plouh, pillede screwe [v.rr. s(c)hrewe]! a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xiii. 135 Shrew, pepe! Thus late as thou goys, What wyll men suppos? ?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 43 That auld schrew, schame him betide. e. pseudo-archaic. In a weakened use, to express playful reprobation. ΚΠ 1888 R. L. Stevenson Black Arrow i. i. 26 Take me this old shrew softly to the nearest elm, and hang me him tenderly by the neck. 1888 R. L. Stevenson Black Arrow i. i. 30 Our poor shrew of a parson is, by some mad soul, accused of slaying him. †2. A thing of evil nature or influence; something troublesome or vexatious. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > evil thing > [noun] shrewc1315 bad1576 malum in se1622 naughta1639 society > morality > moral evil > [noun] > evil thing shrewc1315 naughta1639 a double whammy1951 c1315 Shoreham iv. 207 And ase god dyȝt þeawes In alle gode men, Þe feend a-rayeþ þe schreawes In wykken þer a-ȝen. c1450 Godstow Reg. 629 That this his yifte shold not fro that tyme be reuoked by ony machynacion or shrew. a1500 (?c1450) Merlin xxviii. 568 Than seide Dodinell the sauage that it were a shrewe to go, for in this foreste is noon rescettes. a1500 Brome Bk. (1886) 12 Take iij schrewys. [A waspe, a wesill, a woman.] 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ecclus. xxxi. 12 Remembre, that an euell eye is a shrew. 1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxvii. 166 If to great a multitude making to great a state do not proue a shrew, then am I deceyued. 1620 T. Granger Syntagma Logicum 223 Enmitie, hatred, and ill will is a shrew. 3. a. A person, esp. (now only) a woman given to railing or scolding or other perverse or malignant behaviour; frequently a scolding or turbulent wife.For the proverbial collocation of sheep and shrew see sheep n. 5b. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > ill-naturedness > ill nature in woman or shrewishness > [noun] > shrew scoldc1175 shrewc1386 viragoc1386 scolder1423 common scold1467 wild cat1570 vixen1575 callet1577 termagant1578 (Long) Meg of Westminster1589 butter whore1592 cotquean1593 scrattop1593 scoldsterc1600 butter-quean1613 Xantippea1616 fury1620 Tartar1669 fish-woman1698 cross-patch1699 Whitechapel fortune1734 brimstone1751 randy1762 fish-fag1786 rantipole1790 skellata1810 skimmington1813 targer1822 skellat-bell1827 catamaran1834 nagster1873 yenta1923 α. c1386 G. Chaucer Merchant's Tale Epil. 10 But of hir tonge a lobbyng shrewe is she. a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS 547/380 He þat his tonge con not holde, In cumpaygnye a schrewe is tolde. a1450 J. Myrc Instr. to Par. Priests 59 Wymmenes speche that ben schrewes, Turne ofte a-way gode thewes. c1460 (?c1400) Tale of Beryn l. 1282 For now, I am in certen, I have a Stepmodir: They been shrewis som. ?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in Poems (1998) I. 47 I schaw ȝow, sister, in schrift, I wes a schrew euer. 1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue ii. vi. sig. I Euery man can rule a shrewe saue he that hath her. 1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xxiv. 245 To be a shrewe in the kitchin, a saint in the Church. 1609 C. Butler Feminine Monarchie i. sig. A7 They [bees] are like vnto incorrigible shrews: there is no dealing with them but by patience. a1720 W. Sewel Hist. Quakers (1795) I. iii. 200 His wife who was a wicked shrew. 1819 W. Irving Rip Van Winkle in Sketch Bk. i. 61 Those men are most..conciliating abroad, who are under the discipline of shrews at home. 1839 W. Irving Legend of Communipaw in Knickerbocker Oct. 347 He brought home with him a wife, who seemed to be a shrew, and to have the upper hand of him. β. 1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades i. 12 Iuno Dame that shrowe.1584 G. Peele Araygnem. Paris iv. iii. sig. Dij^v Vul. A harletrie I warrant her. Bac. A peeuish eluish shroe [rhyme so].1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. iii. x. 609 Happy he..[that] Pan and old Silvan knowes, And all the sister shrowes.1608 R. Tofte tr. L. Ariosto Satyres iv. 55 Silence cuts a shrow worse then a sword.a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) v. ii. 193 Now goe thy wayes, thou hast tam'd a curst Shrow . View more context for this quotation1659 Lady Alimony v. iii. sig. Ki He that will practise the art of swinging in a Halter, either to please or cross a Shrows humour.figurative.1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 83 Marriage is honourable, but House-keeping is a Shrew.1742 E. Young Complaint: Night the Third 25 To love, and hate The same vain World; to censure, and espouse This painted Shrew of Life. †b. jocularly for: A wife. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > married person > married woman > [noun] > wife wifeeOE womanc1275 peerc1330 spousessc1384 ladyc1390 good lady1502 girl?a1513 spousage1513 little lady1523 the weaker vessel1526 companion1535 wedlock1566 Mrs1572 dame1574 rib?1590 feme1595 fathom1602 feme covert1602 shrew1606 wife of one's bosom1611 kickie-wickiea1616 heifer1616 sposa1624 bosom-partner1633 goodwife1654 little woman1715 squaw1767 the Mrs1821 missus1823 maw1826 lady wife1840 tart1864 mistress1873 mama1916 ball and chain1921 trouble and strife1929 old boot1958 1606 N. Breton Poste with Packet Madde Lett. (new ed.) II. sig. D2 With commendations to youre kind sonne, youre, selfe, and your good Shrew. B. adj. = shrewd adj. (in various senses); wicked, evil-disposed; bad; shrewish, ill-tempered. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > ill-nature > [adjective] shrew1297 shrewd13.. maliciousc1330 ill-disposedc1460 shrewishc1480 indisposed1481 misaffectionate1533 unsavoury1568 ill-conditioned1614 ill-natured1645 unamiable1711 malignant1785 ill-thriven1806 nasty1825 beastly1911 the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > ill-nature > [adjective] shrew1297 shrewd13.. maliciousc1330 ill-disposedc1460 shrewishc1480 indisposed1481 unsavoury1568 ill-natured1656 unamiable1774 ill-thriven1806 nasty1825 the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > ill-naturedness > ill nature in woman or shrewishness > [adjective] shrew1297 shrewda1387 scoldinga1533 shrewish?1566 cotquean-like1581 virago1598 vixena1660 termagant1668 vixenlya1677 calleting1691 rudas1802 termagantish1823 vixenish1828 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 2091 & so þei ssrewe robeours abbe hor wille. 1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 6718 A ssrewe & luþer dom. c1305 St. Kenelm 202 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 53 Þis quene..schrewe leuedi bicom ynouȝ. 13.. Beues (A.) 398 Go hom, truant!.. Scherewe houre sone. 1480 Table Prouffytable Lernynge (Caxton) (1964) 42 Pieryne his doughter Is the shrewest [Fr. la pieure] ghyrle That I knowe on this side the see. 1638 R. Baillie Let. 22 July (1841) I. 76 He of Liberton does us a very shreue turne. Compounds C1. attributive and in other combinations, as shrew-tamer, shrew-wife; shrew-ridden adj. ΚΠ 1808 M. T. Kemble Day after Wedding 8 Accomplish that, and I'll acknowledge you the Prince of Shrew-tamers. 1911 Chambers's Jrnl. Dec. 774/2 The snappish utterances of his shrew-wife. 1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xv. [Circe] 411 We have shrewridden Shakespeare and henpecked Socrates. C2. † shrew-shake adj. (also shrew-shaken) Obsolete ? cured of shrewishness. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > obedience > submissiveness > [adjective] > cured of shrewishness shrew-shakec1530 c1530 in R. Dyboski Songs, Carols, & Other Misc. Poems (1908) 110 Þe wyff was sum~what shrew shake. 1551 T. Wilson Rule of Reason sig. Ovj^v To be obedient, to be shrewshaken, to bryng vp her childern well [etc.]. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † shrewv. Forms: α. Middle English–1500s shrewe, schrew(e, 1600s 'shrew, Middle English– shrew. β. Middle English schrowe, 1500s shrow, Scottish schir(r)o, 1500s–1600s, Scottish schro, 1600s shrue. Etymology: apparently < shrew n.²; compare beshrew v. Obsolete. 1. transitive. To curse; = beshrew v. 3. Chiefly in imprecations I shrew…(occasionally with I omitted). ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > state of being accursed > [verb (transitive)] waryc725 accurselOE for-waryc1175 cursec1200 bana1275 beshrewc1325 shrew1338 maledighta1400 destinyc1400 damn1477 detest1533 beshrompa1549 widdle1552 becurse1570 malison1588 execrate1612 imprecate1613 maledict1780 the mind > language > malediction > [verb (transitive)] waryc725 accurselOE forcurse1154 cursec1175 for-waryc1175 bana1275 ashend1297 to bid (something) misadventurec1330 shrew1338 beshrew1377 maledighta1400 to fare (also go, come) to mischancec1400 defyc1430 destinya1450 condemn1489 detest1533 adjure1539 beshrompa1549 widdle1552 becurse1570 malison1588 consecrate1589 exaugurate1600 execrate1612 imprecate1616 blasta1634 damna1640 vote1644 to swear at ——1680 devote1749 maledict1780 comminate1801 bless1814 peste1824 cuss1863 bedamn1875 mugger1951 the mind > goodness and badness > wrongdoing > corruption > [verb (transitive)] forbraidc888 besmiteeOE awemOE filec1175 soila1250 envenomc1300 beshrewc1325 shrew1338 corrumpa1340 corrupt1382 subvertc1384 tache1390 poison1395 infect?c1400 intoxicatec1450 deprave1482 corrup1483 rust1493 turkess?1521 vitiate1534 prevary?1541 depravate1548 fester?1548 turkish1560 wry1563 taint1573 disalter1579 prevaricate1595 sophisticate1597 invitiate1598 fashion1600 tack1601 debauch1603 deturpate1623 disaltern1635 ulcer1642 deboise1654 Neronize1673 demoralize1794 bedevil1800 α. c1386 G. Chaucer Nun's Priest's Tale 606 I shrewe vs bothe two And first I shrewe my self bothe blood and bones If thou bigyle me. c1386 G. Chaucer Summoner's Tale 519 O vile proude cherl I shrewe his face. 1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. vii. 75 [I] Venged me fele tymes..and shrewede myn emcristyne. c1403 T. Clanvowe Cuckoo & Nightingale 250 I shrewe al hem that been of love untrewe. a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. ii. 21 Here will I lig thise fourty dayes, And I shrew hym that me fyrst rayse. a1556 N. Udall Ralph Roister Doister (?1566) i. iii. sig. B.iij I shrew them that say nay, and that shall not be I. a1568 Bannatyne MS (Hunterian Club) 269 I wait nocht gif thir lawis be gud, I schrew thame first thame fand. a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) i. ii. 283 'Shrew my heart. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) ii. iii. 139. β. 1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 236 I schrowe alle þer maners, þat lufes þer partie.a1529 J. Skelton Poems against Garnesche in Poet Wks. (1843) I. 130 To know thy selfe yf thow lake grace, Lerne or be lewde, I shrow thy face.a1568 Bannatyne MS (Hunterian Club) 377 Ye hurt me now, schirro your fais.15.. Wowing of Jok & Jynny 15 in Bannatyne MS. (Hunterian Club) 388 I schro the, lyar, full leis me yow.1663 ‘P. Stampoy’ Coll. Sc. Prov. 48 Shro the ghuest the house is the war of. 2. To deprave; = beshrew v. 1. rare.Apparently only attested in dictionaries or glossaries. ΘΚΠ society > morality > moral evil > moral or spiritual degeneration > degrading or impairing morally > degrade or impair morally [verb (transitive)] > make wicked or evil beshrewc1325 shrewc1440 c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 449/1 Schrewyn, pravo. 3. To treat shrewishly; to scold. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > rebuke or reprove [verb (transitive)] > scold chidec1230 ban1340 tongue1388 rate1393 flite14.. rehetec1400 janglec1430 chafec1485 rattle1542 berate1548 quarrel1587 hazen?1608 bequarrel1624 huff1674 shrewa1687 to claw away, off1692 tongue-pad1707 to blow up1710 scold1718 rag1739 redd1776 bullyraga1790 jaw1810 targe1825 haze1829 overhaul1840 tongue-walk1841 trim1882 to call down1883 tongue-lash1887 roar1917 to go off at (a person)1941 chew1948 wrinch2009 a1687 C. Cotton Poems (1689) 38 If too wary, then she'll shrue thee. 1883 M. E. Braddon Golden Calf xx She shrewed me so abominably..that my pride was roused. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online June 2021). < n.¹c725n.²adj.c1250v.1338
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shrewn.1

Compounds

shrewn.2adj.

Compounds

† shrewv.

shrewn.¹

shrewn.²adj.