shrew

Definitions

1. Any of numerous small, mouselike, chiefly nocturnal, mammals of the family Soricidae.
2. Certain other small mammals that resemble true shrews.
3. An ill-tempered, nagging woman: a scold.
   derogatory

Equivalents

Examples

“The clerk had, I'm afraid, a shrew of a wife—shrill, vehement, and fluent. 'Rogue,' 'old miser,' 'old sneak⟳,' and a great many worse names, she called him.”

“His wife was a shrew with warts on her face⟳ and she spoke to him sharply when others were present⟳, but Simcha did not complain⟳.”

““Cease thy squalling, thou shrew!””

CEFR level