Also 7 Zentippe, Zantippe. [Properly Xanthippe, Gr. Ξανθἰππη.] The name of the wife of Socrates; hence allusively, an ill-tempered woman or wife, a shrew, a scold (with pl. Xantippes).
1596. Shaks., Tam. Shr., I. ii. 71. As curst and shrow’d As Socrates Zentippe [1st Fol., Qo.; 2nd–4th Fol., Zantippe, mod. edd. Xanthippe].
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., I. 262. Richard Hooker … married a clownish silly Woman and withal a meer Xantippe.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, VIII. xi. An errant Vixen of a Wife…. By this Xantippe he had two Sons.
1859. Habits of Gd. Society, xiii. 339. For the time being the worst of Xantippes must turn into an angel of amiability if she gives a ball.
