Huswif

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A married woman, especially one managing a household ; a small container holding needles, thread, and other sewing supplies
2. A woman joined in marriage, particularly one occupied with domestic duties ; a compact case for carrying needles, thread, and related mending materials
3. A wedded woman engaged in household management ; a portable pouch or box containing items for needlework and repairs

Etymology: Long before it sounded like an insult, this term was a respectable title for the woman who managed a household. It comes from Old English "hūsġewif", combining "hūs" (house) with "wif", which then meant simply a woman, not necessarily a married one. Modern "wife" preserves that same element, but "huswif" went a different way. Its shortened form, "hussy", is the same word arriving by another path. Over time the longer form was pronounced and spelled more loosely, and "hussy" came to carry a disparaging sense, while "huswif" survived in more neutral uses. Another sense shows the older meaning narrowing. A "huswif" also came to mean a small case holding needles, thread and other sewing tools, a reminder of the domestic work the title once covered.