I. ˈshrü, especially Southern ˈsrü noun
Etymology: Middle English shrewe evil or scolding person, from Old English scrēawa shrew (animal)
Date: before 12th century
1. : any of a family (Soricidae) of small chiefly nocturnal insectivores related to the moles and distinguished by a long pointed snout, very small eyes, and short velvety fur
2. : an ill-tempered scolding woman
• shrew·like -ˌlīk adjective
II. transitive verb
Date: 14th century
obsolete : curse