chichevache
Definitions
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
- noun A fabulous cow of enormous size, whose food was patient wives, and which was therefore in very lean condition.
Examples
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Nonetheless, the H.T.O.E.D. came through, informing me that English in the course of its history has had three words for monsters who specialize in eating husbands and wives — the bycorne, the pickehorn and the chichevache — and has never been without werewolves.
Caleb Crain, 'Semantic Time Travel,' The New York Times, January 8, 2010
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Mythmakers of ancient England spoke of a monster in the shape of an emaciated cow called 'Chichevache' that ate nothing but faithful wives. The bit of lore eventually lost currency. Some English say it was too silly. Some Irish say the old cow stared to death.
L.M. Boyd, 'Query on Four Presidents,' The Victoria Advocate, August 22, 1989
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Then shall be pourtrayed, after Chichevache, an old man with a baton on his back, menacing the beast for devouring of his wife.
Note
This word comes from the Old French 'chiche,' lean, plus 'vache,' cow.
