Australia PM misogyny speech sparks dictionary rethink

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's fiery speech calling the opposition leader a misogynist on Wednesday prompted a leading dictionary to broaden its definition of the word.

Ms Gillard, the nation's first woman leader, lashed out last week at Tony Abbott in parliament, saying she would not be "lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man".

Her comments went viral and won praise around the world but also sparked debate about whether Abbott really had a pathological hated of women, which is the current basic definition of misogyny in Australia's Macquarie Dictionary.

Editor Sue Butler said it would now be broadened to include "entrenched prejudice against women" because usage of the word has evolved over the past few decades and no longer refers just to a hatred of women.