virago
pronunciation
How to pronounce virago in British English:
UK [vɪˈrɑ:gəʊ]
How to pronounce virago in American English:
US [vɪˈrɑgoʊ]
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- Noun:
- a noisy or scolding or domineering woman
- a large strong and aggressive woman
Word Origin
- virago
- virago: see virtue
- virago (n.)
- late 14c., "man-like or heroic woman, woman of extraordinary stature, strength and courage," from Latin virago "female warrior, heroine, amazon," from vir "man" (see virile). Ælfric (c. 1000), following Vulgate, used it in Gen. ii:23 as the name Adam gave to Eve (KJV = woman): Beo hire nama Uirago, þæt is, fæmne, forðan ðe heo is of hire were genumen. Related: Viraginous.
Example
- 1. The poor man has a virago of a wife .
- 2. It was published to controversy in 1937 and rescued by virago decades later .
- 3. Virago sells videotapes of real women 's submission wrestling .
- 4. The virago 's greatest drawback was its voracious power requirements .
- 5. Dante says those women who make constant mistakes are virago but men iago .