noun
femme fatale; evil woman; temptress
A literary or dramatic term for a woman who uses her charm to lead men to ruin; carries a strong negative moral judgment. Often used in historical or fictional contexts.
彼女は小説の中で恐ろしい毒婦として描かれている。
She is portrayed as a terrifying femme fatale in the novel.
あの映画の毒婦役はとても印象的だった。
The role of the evil woman in that movie was very striking.
Compound of 毒 (poison) and 婦 (woman, lady). The term likely emerged in Meiji-era literature and journalism to describe notorious female criminals or seductresses, emphasizing their 'poisonous' influence.