GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Housewife (?), n. [House + wife. Cf. Hussy.]
   1. The wife of a householder; the mistress of a family; the female head of a household.  Shak.
   
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   He a good husband, a good housewife she. Dryden.
   
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   2. (Usually pronounced .) [See Hussy, in this sense.] A little case or bag for materials used in sewing, and for other articles of female work; -- called also hussy. [Written also huswife.]  P. Skelton.
   
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   3. A hussy. [R.] [Usually written huswife.]  Shak.
   
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   Sailor's housewife, a ditty-bag.
   
   
         
       

2.       
   Hussy (?), n. [Contr. fr. huswife.]
   1. A housewife or housekeeper. [Obs.]
   
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   2. A worthless woman or girl; a forward wench; a jade; -- used as a term of contempt or reproach.  Grew.
   
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   3. A pert girl; a frolicsome or sportive young woman; -- used jocosely.  Goldsmith.
   
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3.       
   Hussy, n. [From Icel. hsi a case, prob. fr. hs house. See House, and cf. Housewife a bag, Huswife a bag.] A case or bag. See Housewife, 2.
   
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