Beldame
/ˈbɛl.deɪm/noun
An old woman, especially one regarded as ugly, evil, or a witch.
Did you know?Beldame entered English from Old French as a respectful term for a noble or elderly lady, but over time English speakers twisted it into a word for a hag or witch-like old woman.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*deh₂-
“to put, place, or set”
Latin
Latin
domina
“lady, mistress of a household”
Old French
Old French
bel dame
“beautiful lady”
Middle English
English
beldame
“a lady; later, an old woman”
Modern English
English
beldame
“an old woman, especially a witch-like or disagreeable one”