spinster
[ spin-ster ]
/ ˈspɪn stər /
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noun
Disparaging and Offensive. a woman still unmarried beyond the usual age of marrying.
Chiefly Law. a woman who has never married.
a woman whose occupation is spinning.
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usage note for spinster
The meaning “a woman beyond the usual marriageable age” is used with disparaging intent and perceived as insulting. It implies negative qualities such as being fussy or undesirable. See also old maid.
OTHER WORDS FROM spinster
spin·ster·hood, nounspin·ster·ish, adjectivespin·ster·ish·ly, adverbspin·ster·like, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for spinster
British Dictionary definitions for spinster
spinster
/ (ˈspɪnstə) /
noun
an unmarried woman regarded as being beyond the age of marriage
(formerly) a woman who spins thread for her living
Derived forms of spinster
spinsterhood, nounspinsterish, adjectiveWord Origin for spinster
C14 (in the sense: a person, esp a woman, whose occupation is spinning; C17: a woman still unmarried): from spin + -ster
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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