Quean \Quean\, n. [Originally, a woman, AS. cwene; akin to OS. quena, OHG. quena, Icel. kona, Goth qin?, and AS. cw['e]n, also to Gr. ? woman, wife, Skr. gn[=a] goddess. Cf. {Queen}.] 1. A woman; a young or unmarried woman; a girl. [Obs. or Scot.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster] 2. A low woman; a wench; a slut. "The dread of every scolding quean." --Gay. [1913 Webster]
QUEAN. A worthless woman a strumpet. The meaning of this word, which is now seldom used, is said not to be well ascertained. 2 Roll. Ab. 296 Bac. Ab. Stander, U 3.