Etymology
The word "vixen" derives from the Middle English "vixene" (14th century), which in turn comes from the Old English "ficsen" (11th century). The word is related to the Old Norse "fyksen," which means "female fox."
Meaning
A vixen typically refers to an ill-tempered or malicious woman. It is often used as a derogatory term to describe someone who is shrewish, spiteful, or quarrelsome.
Origin and Usage
The word "vixen" originally referred to a female fox. In the 16th century, it began to be used figuratively to describe women who were thought to possess the same qualities as foxes, such as cunning, deceitfulness, and a sharp tongue. By the 18th century, the term had become a widely recognized derogatory term for a spiteful or quarrelsome woman.
Examples
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