Word Direct Answers

What does "housewife" mean?

Housewife: (Usually pronounced Etym: [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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.A hussy. [R.] [Usually written huswife.] Shak. Sailor's housewife, a ditty-bag.
  2. 3.To manage with skill and economy, as a housewife or other female manager; to economize. Conferred those moneys on the nuns, which since they have well housewived. Fuller.

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