Ter"ma*gant (?), n. [OE. Trivigant, Termagant, Termagant (in sense 1), OF. Tervagan; cf. It. Trivigante.]
1.
An imaginary being supposed by the Christians to be a Mohammedan deity or false god. He is represented in the ancient moralities, farces, and puppet shows as extremely vociferous and tumultous.
[Obs.]
Chaucer. "And oftentimes by
Termagant and Mahound [Mahomet] swore."
Spenser.
The lesser part on Christ believed well,
On Termagant the more, and on Mahound.
Fairfax.
2.
A boisterous, brawling, turbulent person; -- formerly applied to both sexes, now only to women.
This terrible termagant, this Nero, this Pharaoh.
Bale (1543).
The slave of an imperious and reckless termagant.
Macaulay.
© Webster 1913.
Ter"ma*gant, a.
Tumultuous; turbulent; boisterous; furious; quarrelsome; scolding.
--
Ter"ma*gant*ly, adv.
A termagant, imperious, prodigal, profligate wench.
Arbuthnot.
© Webster 1913.