beldam
- noun
- /ˈbɛl.dæm/
- Slur
- The townsfolk trembled at the sight of the beldam, rumored to steal away innocent children.
Examples
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In the story, the beldam used her dark magic to frighten everyone in the village.
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For the Beldam might be listening.
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There's only one, and the Beldam will find it.
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- The Beldam.
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The relationship is similar to that of the beldams in Conde Lucanor or Esopete ystoriado, who concoct a business deal with an incompetent devil.
Academic text (2001) -
The Hebrew text and its best translations employ the word "lilith" in the Isaiah passage, but other versions are true to her ancient image as a bird, night creature, and beldam (hag).
Blog text (23) -
The ancient book warned of a beldam who lived deep in the woods, bringing misfortune to those who dared to enter.
Synonyms
A woman believed to have magical powers in stories
An old woman in stories who is often seen as ugly and frightening
A cruel woman who treats people very badly
An unpleasant, bossy older woman who scolds people
A woman who is very cruel to other people
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Etymology
Beldam comes from Old French belle dame, which means 'beautiful lady', and the dame part is like the English word 'dame' or 'lady'. In old stories the name came to mean an old, often ugly or witch-like woman, so remember it as a 'dame' who became feared.