Brewer's: Curst

Curst cows have curt horns. Angry men cannot do all the mischief they wish. Curst means “angry” or “fierce,” and curt is “short,” as curtmantle, curt-hose. The Latin proverb is, “Dat Deus immiti cornua curta bovi. ”

You are called plain Kate, And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst.

Shakespeare: Taming of the Shrew, ii. 1.

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