beldame

Variant of beldam

beldam definition

bel·dam or beldame bel′·dame (bel′dəm)

noun

  1. Obsolete a grandmother
  2. an old woman; esp., a hideous old woman; hag

Etymology: ME, grandmother < bel, good, beautiful < OFr bel, used as term of affection and respect in the Middle Ages (see beau) + dame

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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