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 Etym: [See Hussy, in this sense.]
Defn: 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.
HOUSEWIFE; HOUSEWIVE
House"wife`, House"wive`, v. t.
Defn: 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.
HOUSEWIFELY
House"wife`ly, a.
Defn: Pertaining or appropriate to a housewife; domestic; economical;
prudent.
A good sort of woman, ladylike and housewifely. Sir W. Scott.
HOUSEWIFERY
House"wif`er*y, n.
Defn: The business of the mistress of a family; female management of domestic concerns.