Spill not the morning, the quintessence of the day, in recreations.—Fuller, Holy State, b. iii. c. 13.
Spinster. A name that was often applied to women of evil life, in that they were set to enforced labour of spinning in the Spittle or House of Correction (it is still called ‘The Spinning House’ at Cambridge), and thus were ‘spinsters.’ None of our Dictionaries, so far as I have observed, take note of this use of the word.
Many would never be indicted spinsters, were they spinsters indeed, nor come to so public and shameful punishments, if painfully employed in that vocation.—Fuller, Worthies of England: Kent.
Geta. These women are still troublesome;
There be houses provided for such wretched women,
And some small rents to set ye a spinning.
Drusilla. Sir,
We are no spinsters, nor, if you look upon us,
So wretched as you take us.
Beaumont and Fletcher, The Prophetess, act iii. sc. 1.