shrew

The definition of a shrew is a long-nosed, skinny mammal that looks like a mouse.

(noun)

An example of a shrew is the Etruscan shrew.

Shrew is defined as a woman with a bad temper who nags or scolds.

(noun)

An example of a shrew is a character in a novel that is angry for no reason all the time.

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See shrew in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. any of a number of small, slender, mouselike insectivore mammals (esp. family Soricidae) with soft fur and a long, pointed snout
  2. a scolding, evil-tempered woman

Origin: ME schrewe, a malicious person < OE screawa, shrewmouse, akin to OHG scrawaz, dwarf, goblin, MHG schröuwel, devil < IE *(s)ker-: see shred

See shrew in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Any of various small, chiefly insectivorous mammals of the family Soricidae, resembling a mouse but having a long pointed snout and small eyes and ears. Also called shrewmouse.
  2. A woman with a violent, scolding, or nagging temperament; a scold.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English shrewe, villian

Origin: , from Old English scrēawa, shrewmouse

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