feme sole

American  

[sohl] / soʊl /

noun

Law.

plural

femes sole

1. an unmarried woman, whether never married, widowed, or divorced.

2. a married woman who is independent of her husband with respect to property.

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feme sole British  

noun

1. a single woman, whether spinster, widow, or divorcee

2. a woman whose marriage has been annulled or is otherwise independent of her husband, as by owning her own property

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Etymology

Origin of feme sole

Borrowed into English from Anglo-French around 1520–30

Example Sentences

In extraordinary cases of desertion or abuse, assemblies might grant feme sole status to a wife, with the right to hold property and run her own household but not remarry.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

A free widow or adult single woman had the legal status of a feme sole, which allowed her to acquire property and do business as if she were male.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

She may become a stockholder of any bank, insurance company or any incorporated association, as if she were a feme sole, and may vote by proxy or otherwise.

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

In England, where the right to vote is based on property and not person, the feme sole freeholder has exercised her right all along.

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

The other members of the committee being married ladies, Miss Anthony, as a feme sole, was alone held capable of making a contract, and was therefore obliged to assume the pecuniary responsibility of the rooms.

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