henpecked

American  

[hen-pekt] / ˈhɛnˌpɛkt /

adjective

1. browbeaten, bullied, or intimidated by one's wife, girlfriend, etc..

   a henpecked husband who never dared to contradict his wife.

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henpecked British  

/ ˈhɛnˌpɛkd /

adjective

1. (of a man) continually harassed or tormented by the persistent nagging of a woman (esp his wife)

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Other Word Forms

• henpecking
  noun

Etymology

Origin of henpecked

First recorded in 1670–80; hen + peck ¹ + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Henpecked, hangdog Kugel has an analyst named Professor Jove who shoots down his every upbeat thought.

From New York Times • Jan. 17, 2012

I remember the late Mr John Sugden, of Eastwood House, coming up in his carriage to see the fun and frolic, which were practically the sole objects of the Henpecked Club.

From Adventures and Recollections by Bill o'th' Hoylus End

Poor Henpecked meekly passed the can again, to be again civilly declined.

From A Confederate Girl's Diary by Dawson, Sarah Morgan

Miss Marion Lowell recited "The Legend," by Mary Agnes Ticknor, and "Was he Henpecked?" by Phebe Cary, Mrs. A. M. Tyng of Austin, made a good speech, also recited a poem entitled "Jane Conquest."

From History of Woman Suffrage, Volume III by Stanton, Elizabeth Cady

"Henpecked in the first degree," was the verdict I gave, without leaving my seat.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 08, No. 45, July, 1861 by Various