noun
- a small mammal with a pointed snout that eats insects
- a bad-tempered woman who constantly scolds or nags
Usage: archaic; offensive
Examples
- The tiny shrew scurried through the fallen leaves.
- Shrews must eat constantly to maintain their high metabolism.
- We found a shrew’s nest under the woodpile.
- The water shrew can dive underwater to catch prey.
- Shakespeare’s play features a character called a shrew.
- The term shrew is considered outdated and offensive when applied to women.