1. plural of beldam; old women, especially those considered ugly or malicious
Usage: archaic; often derogatory

Examples

• The village children feared the beldams who lived in the cottage by the woods.
• In old fairy tales, beldams often served as antagonists who cast evil spells.
• The playwright portrayed the three beldams as cackling prophets of doom.
• Medieval literature frequently depicted beldams as wise but frightening figures.
• The artist’s painting showed a group of beldams gathered around a cauldron.
• Local folklore warned travelers to avoid the beldams of the mountain pass.