widow-maker

English

/ˈwɪdoʊˌmeɪkɚ/

noun
Definitions
  • (idiomatic) Something which or someone who takes the lives of men; a lethal hazard that affects mostly men or is specific to a primarily male trade.
  • (forestry) The detached or broken limb of a tree, a hazard to those walking underneath.
  • (medicine)

Etymology

Affix from English widow + English maker.

Origin

English

maker

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms