crone

noun

Etymology: From Middle English crone, from Anglo-Norman carogne (compare central Old French charogne (a term of abuse, literally “carrion, carcass, old sheep, hag”), whence modern French charogne). Doublet of carrion.

1. An old woman.

   “But still the crone was constant to her note.”

2. An archetypal figure, a wise woman.

   ““And what is your name, crispy, old, wizened crone?” “Oh, my name's Helen.” “Hel-- Oh, just Helen. That's it. Just Helen?” “Helen the Magic Woman.” “And you can help me rid myself of this disgusting hex?” “Yes.””

3. An ugly, evil-looking, or frightening old woman; a hag.

   “With black unseeing eyes the old woman, the crone, stares at him and through him. Over and over she mutters a word that he cannot quite catch, something like Toomderoom.”

   ““Let's welcome the most beautiful girl I know and I've ever met. My good lady wife Nadja. Come on.” “Oh, she's right here. I've got her.” “I'm here.” “Quiet, crone! Hello, everyone. Thank you all so much for coming.””

4. An old ewe.

   “In traveling homeward, buy forty good crones, and fat up the bodies of those seely bones”

5. An old man, especially one who talks and acts like an old woman.

   “The old crone [a negro man] lived in a hovel, in the midst of a small patch of potatoes and Indian corn, which his master had given him on setting him free.”

   “A few old battered crones of office.”