As man, I pardon dreadfully histrionic woman (5,5)
I believe the answer is:
prima donna
'histrionic woman' is the definition.
(histrionic or dramatic woman)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
(Other definitions for prima donna that I've seen before include "Top female singer" , "Leading lady, proverbially temperamental" , "Diva" , "temperamental sort" , "Female opera star" .)