shrew

¹

[ shroo ]

noun

1. a woman of violent temper and speech; termagant.

   Synonyms: scold, nag, virago

shrew

²

[ shroo ]

noun

1. any of several small, mouselike insectivores of the genus Sorex and related genera, having a long, sharp snout.

shrew

/ ʃruː /

noun

1. Also calledshrewmouse any small mouse-like long-snouted mammal, such as Sorex araneus ( common shrew ), of the family Soricidae: order Insectivora (insectivores) See also water shrew soricine
2. a bad-tempered or mean-spirited woman

Other Words From

• shrewlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrew¹

1200–50; Middle English; special use of shrew ²

Origin of shrew²

before 900; Middle English (only in compounds), Old English scrēawa

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrew¹

Old English scrēawa; related to Old High German scrawaz dwarf, Icelandic skröggr old man, Norwegian skrugg dwarf

Example Sentences

I think about what it is to be a shrew and what goes into making a woman shrewish.

From Los Angeles Times

They included a horseshoe bat called Rhinolophus mabuensis and a dwarf musk shrew which scientists are still in the process of naming and describing.

From BBC

Bats, which -- like shrews -- are often infected with a large number of different viruses, are considered a true melting pot.

From Science Daily

There’s the Sapphire caricature from “Amos ’n’ Andy,” the emasculating shrew who is rude, mean-spirited and prone to fits of rage.

From Seattle Times

Animal rehabilitation networks will offer white-tailed deer, shrews, weasels, and squirrels.

From Science Magazine