wifehood

[wahyf-hood]

noun

1. the state of being a wife.

2. wifely character or quality; wifeliness.

Word History and Origins

Origin of wifehood¹

1350–1400; Middle English wifhood, Old English wīfhād. See wife, -hood

Example Sentences

Wrote Jenness Miller: “No man has the right to force childbearing upon a woman because she is his wife. Wifehood is a sacred obligation, and the marriage bond is degraded when it becomes a slave’s chain to drag a woman’s spirit and body into unwilling captivity.”

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What really stuck out to me about the film was how Amy was essentially being prepared for adulthood and wifehood in her home, from her cultural lens.

Read more on Slate

Her surrender to wifehood and motherhood has turned her into what appears at first to be the least interesting person in the original trio of friends, particularly now that her ghastly husband has fallen prey to some sort of irritating illness that requires her constant attention.

Read more on New York Times

In an interview there years ago, Miss Tate said of Sebring: “Before Roman Polanski, her husband, I guess I was in love with Jay. But the truth is I was no good for Jay. I’m not organized. I’m too flighty. Jay needs a wife. And at 23, I’m not ready for wifehood. I still have to live, and Roman is trying to show me how.”

Read more on Seattle Times

It is my girlfriends here in Joburg that have taught me how to give parties, keep a close eye on the help, and just overall make the graceful transition to wifehood and adulteration.

Read more on Literature