Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Huswife"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Huswife \Hus"wife\, v. t.
To manage with frugality; -- said of a woman. --Dryden.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Housewife \House"wife`\, n. [House + wife. Cf. {Hussy}.]
1. The wife of a householder; the mistress of a family; the
female head of a household. --Shak.
He a good husband, a good housewife she. --Dryden.
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.
3. A hussy. [R.] [Usually written {huswife}.] --Shak.
{Sailor's housewife}, a ditty-bag.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Huswife \Hus"wife\, n. [OE. huswif; hus house + wif wife. Cf.
{Hussy} a housewife, {Housewife}.] [Written also
{housewife}.]
1. A female housekeeper; a woman who manages domestic
affairs; a thirfty woman. ``The bounteous huswife
Nature.'' --Shak.
The huswife is she that do labor doth fall.
--Tusser.
2. A worthless woman; a hussy. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. [See {Hussy} a bag.] A case for sewing materials. See
{Housewife}. --Cowper.
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