Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- To manage with economy and frugality: said of a woman.
- noun Same as
housewife . - noun A housewife.
- noun A pert, wilful woman or girl; a hussy. See
hussy , 2.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- transitive verb To manage with frugality; -- said of a woman.
- noun A female housekeeper; a woman who manages domestic affairs; a thirfty woman.
- noun obsolete A worthless woman; a hussy.
- noun A case for sewing materials. See
Housewife .
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun obsolete A
housewife . - noun obsolete A
worthless woman ;hussy . - noun A small
case containing scissors, thread, needles, and othersewing things. - verb said of a woman To
manage withfrugality .
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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It contained a huswife completely furnished with needles,
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I was sure it could not be far off; but I had put my huswife upon it, you see, without being aware, and so it was quite hid, but I had it in my hand so very lately that I was almost sure it must be on the table.
Emma 2004
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I was sure it could not be far off; but I had put my huswife upon it, you see, without being aware, and so it was quite hid, but I had it in my hand so very lately that I was almost sure it must be on the table.
Emma Austen, Jane, 1775-1817 2001
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_I must needs say, that my wife is a shrewe, but such a huswife as I know but a fewe.
The Arte of English Poesie George Puttenham
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Shee's any good man's better second selfe, the very mirror of true constant modesty, the carefull huswife of frugalitie, and dearest obiect of man's heart's felicitie.
Microcosmography or, a Piece of the World Discovered; in Essays and Characters John Earle
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Come, lay aside your stitchery; I must have you play the idle huswife with me this afternoon.
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In a place to themselves were other treasures, a daguerreotype of his mother, a capacious huswife that Sairy had made and stocked for him, the little box of paper "to write home on" that had been Tom's present, various trifles that the three had agreed might come in handy.
The Long Roll Mary Johnston 1903
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In a cottage garden the dog, high on his haunches at the length of his chain, cocked his ears towards the huswife in the wash-house, hoping against hope for a miracle.
In a Green Shade A Country Commentary Maurice Hewlett 1892
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Tusser's huswife, warned by the matin cock, called up her maids and men at four in the summer, at five in the winter.
In a Green Shade A Country Commentary Maurice Hewlett 1892
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They call thee good huswife -- they love thee likewise.
In a Green Shade A Country Commentary Maurice Hewlett 1892
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