Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Unduly influenced by a wife; ruled or tyrannized over by a wife; henpecked.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Listen not to those sages who advise you always to scorn the counsel of a woman, and if you comply with her requests pronounce you to be wife-ridden.

    Sketches of the Fair Sex, in All Parts of the World Anonymous

  • How different from his stately, dull, wife-ridden elder brother.

    Hopes and Fears or, scenes from the life of a spinster Charlotte Mary Yonge 1862

  • He was, consequently, cried up by his subjects in general, and by the ladies in particular, as a pattern for husbands; and, in the end, from the wonderful docility with which he submitted to be reined and checked, acquired the amiable and enviable appellation of Duke Philibert the wife-ridden.

    The Crayon Papers Washington Irving 1821

  • The present husband of the duchess did not pray and fast like his predecessor, Philibert the wife-ridden; yet he found greater favor in the eyes of heaven, for their union was blessed with a numerous progeny -- the daughters chaste and beauteous as their mother; the sons stout and valiant as their sire, and renowned, like him, for relieving disconsolate damsels and desolated widows.

    The Crayon Papers Washington Irving 1821

  • The worthy and wife-ridden duke was soothed by her assurances; for he could not brook the thought of giving her up even after he should be dead.

    The Crayon Papers Washington Irving 1821

  • By Heaven, I'll not be wife-ridden; were it possible, it should be done this night.

    The Comedies of William Congreve Volume 1 [of 2] William Congreve 1699

  • By Heaven, I'll not be wife-ridden; were it possible, it should be done this night.

    The Double-Dealer, a comedy William Congreve 1699

Comments

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  • Strange--nobody's listing this.

    April 25, 2011

  • Alternative means of transport are all the rage.

    April 25, 2011

  • *groan*

    April 25, 2011

  • I've given this term a home at Adjectival Arcana.

    April 25, 2011