1. (n.) The wife of a householder; the mistress of a family; the female head of a household.

2. (n.) A little case or bag for materials used in sewing, and for other articles of female work; -- called also hussy.

3. (n.) A hussy.

4. (v. t.) Alt. of Housewive

canoness chatelaine clergywoman conventual dame dowager first lady goodwife governess great lady homemaker housewife lady superior madam matriarch matron mistress mother superior novice nun postulant prioress religieuse secular canoness sister superioress the reverend mother