Virago
/vɪˈrɑː.ɡoʊ/noun
A strong, domineering, or aggressively assertive woman; historically, a woman with masculine qualities.
Did you know?In Latin, *virago* could mean a heroic, man-like woman, and its root *vir* also gave us words tied to strength and manhood, not just gender.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wiHro-
“adult male; man”
Latin
Latin
vir
“a man; a male person, especially one seen as brave or strong”
Latin
Latin
virāgō
“a woman with manly qualities; a heroine; later, a shrew or term of abuse”
Middle English
English
virago
“a strong or spirited woman; later, a loud, domineering, or scolding woman”
Modern English
English
virago
“a domineering or overbearing woman”