shrew

Definition

Any of numerous small, mouselike, chiefly nocturnal, mammals of the family Soricidae.

Etymology

From Middle English *schrewe, from Old English sċrēawa (“shrew”), from Proto-Germanic *skrawwaz (“thin; meagre; frail”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“to cut; shorten; skimp”). Cognates include Old High German scrawaz (“dwarf”), Norwegian skrugg (“dwarf”).

Example Sentences

• "The clerk had, I'm afraid, a shrew of a wife—shrill, vehement, and fluent. 'Rogue,' 'old miser,' 'old sneak,' and a great many worse names, she called him."
• "His wife was a shrew with warts on her face and she spoke to him sharply when others were present, but Simcha did not complain."
• "“Cease thy squalling, thou shrew!”"

Related Words