Shrew

Pronunciation

• enPR: shroÍžo, IPA: /ʃɹuː/
• Rhymes: -uː

Origin

Old English scrēawa, of unknown origin.

Full definition of shrew

Noun

1. Any of numerous small mouselike, chiefly nocturnal, mammals of the family Soricidae.
2. An ill-tempered, nagging woman: a scold.You'd better not stay out late tonight — your mother is quite a shrew and you'll never hear the end of it.

Synonyms

• (mouselike mammal) ranny obsolete

Hyponyms

• (mouselike mammal) common shrew

Derived terms

Verb

1. (obsolete, transitive) To beshrew; to curse.
• ChaucerI shrew myself.