she-devil

English

Etymology

she- + devil

Noun

she-devil (plural she-devils)

  1. (literally) A female devil (as opposed to a he-devil, male devil).
    • 1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 114:
      In order to exorcise this she-devil, the attendants made circles on the walls with charcoal, within each was written: "Adam, Eve, Lilas, avaunt!"
  2. (figuratively) A woman whose bad temper, cruelty or wicked ways are so extreme as to evoke an image of the devil.
    • 1828, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], chapter XVI, in Pelham; or, The Adventures of a Gentleman. [], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, [], →OCLC, page 130:
      Monsieur Margot groaned. “Go, then, my friend,” said he, “procure the ladder! Oh, those she devils!—what could make me such a fool!

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