Meaning of huswifely | Babel Free

Definitions

Like or of a huswife; capable; economical; prudent.

archaic

Examples

“Besydes that it is false that vnac[t]yfe men lede a quiete lyfe for els it must be that the lyfe of women were more quietous than that of men as they that syt watchyng at home occupied in huswifely occupations.”

“1568, Matthew Parker et al. (translators), Bishops’ Bible, Proverbs 12.4, A huswifely woman is a crowne vnto her husbande: but she that behaueth her selfe vnhonestly, is as corruption in his bones.”

“1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, Oxford: Henry Cripps, Partition 3, Section 2, Member 5, Subsection 3, pp. 649-650, In taking a dowre thou loosest thy liberty, hazardest thine estate; thou hadst better haue taken a good huswifely maid in her smocke.”

“1816, William Hazlitt, “The Recruiting Officer,” review⟳ published in The Examiner, 3 March⟳, 1816, in A View⟳ of the English Stage⟳; or, A Series of Dramatic Criticisms, London: John Warren, 1821, p. 246, We ought not to omit, that she cries her chickens in a good shrill huswifely market-voice, as if she would drive⟳ a good bargain with them.”

CEFR level