Xanthippe

noun

Xan·​thip·​pe zan-ˈthi-pē How to pronounce Xanthippe (audio) -ˈti- How to pronounce Xanthippe (audio)
variants or Xantippe
: an ill-tempered woman

Word History

Etymology

Greek Xanthippē, shrewish wife of Socrates

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Xanthippe was in 1691

Dictionary Entries Near Xanthippe

Cite this Entry

“Xanthippe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Xanthippe. Accessed 6 Nov. 2024.

Biographical Definition

Xanthippe

biographical name

Xan·​thip·​pe zan-ˈthi-pē How to pronounce Xanthippe (audio)
-ˈti-
5th century b.c. wife of Socrates
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!