old-maidism

"It's nothing but a chronic case of old-maidism," said father impatiently.

Chronicles of Avonlea Lucy Maud 1912

But one can never reckon with real, bred-in-the bone old-maidism.

Chronicles of Avonlea Lucy Maud 1912

"It's nothing but a chronic case of old-maidism," said father impatiently.

Chronicles of Avonlea 1908

There was, indeed, a danger -- his seniors said so -- of his developing into a regular "Auntie Fuss" of an adjutant, and when an officer once takes to old-maidism there is more hope for the virgin of seventy than for him.

The Day's Work - Volume 1 Rudyard Kipling 1900

Nothing but solitary old-maidism, unless two of you happen to be sisters, for who else will join her shame to yours?

The Christian A Story Hall Caine 1892

There was one thing about her which excited much talk; I suppose it was only a piece of old-maidism.

The Burial of the Guns Thomas Nelson Page 1887

It was considered as carrying old-maidism to an extreme length.

The Burial of the Guns Thomas Nelson Page 1887

He supports her, and she has escaped the obloquy of old-maidism.

Not Pretty, but Precious Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford 1878

So she thrusts the burden of her sins upon other people's shoulders, and travels the first stage to captious and disappointed old-maidism.

Aurora Floyd. A Novel Mary Elizabeth 1863

Now, nothing daunted, she insisted on John viewing the case from Zara’s standpoint: the very natural desire of an ageing woman for a home and a husband; the dreaded stigma of old-maidism; the weariness and monotony of going on teaching other people’s children year after year; the mortification of seeing younger women chosen over your head, and your salary steadily decreasing as you grew older.

The Way Home 2003