termagant

views updated May 21 2018

termagant (T-) deity attributed to Muslims, etc., represented in mystery plays as an over-bearing character XIII; violent domineering person (esp. woman) XVI. Earlier form tervagaunt, later term- (XIV) — OF. Tervagan(t) — It. Trivigante, -vag-, expl. as f. L. TRI- + vagāns, -ant-, prp. of vagārī wander and so designating the moon wandering under the names of Selene (Luna), Artemis (Diana), and Persephone (Proserpina), in heaven, earth, and hell respectively.

termagant

views updated May 29 2018

ter·ma·gant / ˈtərməgənt/ • n. 1. a harsh-tempered or overbearing woman.2. (Termagant) hist. an imaginary deity of violent and turbulent character, often appearing in morality plays.

termagant

views updated May 29 2018

termagant a harsh-tempered or overbearing woman; originally (in the early 13th century) the name of an imaginary deity held in medieval Christendom to be worshipped by Muslims: in the mystery plays represented as a violent overbearing personage. In Layamon's Brut, the name is used for the gods of the Romans and the heathen Saxons.