Definition of "beldam" [bel•dam]

• An old woman, especially one who is considered ugly. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "In the book, there’s a stark difference between Other Neighbors’ apartments before and after the beldam is trying to seduce Coraline."
• "Other Mom turns out to be a ferocious "beldam" who wants to entrap Coraline in this world, as she's done with other children."
• "I know Coraline was the main hero, mostly defeating the beldam in the Other World."