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What is the difference between goodwife and wife?

goodwife | wife | Derived terms |

Goodwife is a derived term of wife.


As nouns the difference between goodwife and wife

is that goodwife is (obsolete) a female head of a household while wife is a married woman, especially in relation to her spouse.

As a adjective goodwife

is (a title of respect for a woman).

goodwife

English

Alternative forms

* (adjective) Goodwife

Adjective

(-)
  • Goodwife Hopkins

    Synonyms

    * Mrs.

    Derived terms

    * goody

    Noun

    (goodwives)
  • (obsolete) A female head of a household
  • wife

    English

    Noun

    (wives)
  • A married woman, especially in relation to her spouse.
  • My wife and I have decided to have a baby.
  • * (The Fisherman and His Wife)
  • * , chapter=10
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers.}}
  • The female of a pair of mated animals.
  • Usage notes

    Although not common, wife'' can be used with ''the to indicate one's own wife. For instance, "I'd like to go, but the wife wants me home." More commonly, "my wife".

    Synonyms

    * (married woman) better half, life partner, little woman (slang), partner, significant other, spouse * See also

    Antonyms

    * (married woman) husband, were (obsolete)

    See also

    * uxorial

    Derived terms

    (Terms derived from the noun "wife") * (From woman) alewife * (partner) co-wife * (partner) ex-wife * (woman) fishwife * (woman) goodwife * (partner) housewife * (partner) huswife * (partner) man and wife/I now declare you man and wife * (woman) midwife * (woman) old wife/old-wife/oldwife * (woman) pudding-wife * seawife * sister-wife * spaewife * (partner) trophy wife * (partner) wife-beater * (woman/partner) wifehood * (partner) wifeless * (woman) wifely * (partner) wifey (wife)

    See also

    * (wikipedia "wife")

    References

    *

    Statistics

    * 1000 English basic words ----