spinster

/'spinstə/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Noun:
    • An unmarried woman, typically one who is older and beyond the usual age for marriage: The word "spinster" traditionally refers to a woman who has never been married, often implying she is past the socially expected age for marriage. Historically, it carried connotations of being old-fashioned or undesirable.
    • A person (historically a woman) who spins thread or yarn: This is the original, now largely archaic, meaning, referring to someone whose occupation is spinning fibers into thread.
Usage Examples
  • Noun (unmarried woman):
    • In the old novel, the kind but lonely spinster lived in the large house at the end of the lane.
    • The term "spinster" is now considered outdated and potentially offensive by many.
  • Noun (historical occupation):
    • In medieval times, a spinster was a valued member of the community for her craft.
Advanced Usage
  • Legal/Historical Context: In old legal documents, "spinster" was a formal term to denote an unmarried woman's marital status.
    • The 19th-century census listed her occupation as "governess" and her status as "spinster".
  • Sociological/Linguistic Commentary: The word is often discussed in terms of gendered language and societal expectations.
    • Linguists note that "spinster" has pejorative shades lacking in the male equivalent "bachelor."
Variants and Related Words
  • Spinsterhood (n): The state or condition of being a spinster.
    • Her novels often explored themes of spinsterhood and independence.
  • Spin (v): The root verb meaning to draw out and twist fibers into thread, from which "spinster" is derived.
Synonyms
  • Unmarried woman: A neutral, modern term.
  • Bachelorette: Often implies a younger, unmarried woman without the negative connotations.
  • Maiden: An archaic or literary term for an unmarried young woman.
  • Old maid: A derogatory synonym with stronger negative connotations.
Idioms and Fixed Phrases
  • Confirmed spinster: A phrase used to emphasize that a woman is firmly established in her unmarried state, often by her own choice or circumstance.
    • By the age of fifty, she was considered a confirmed spinster by her family.
Noun
  1. someone who spins (who twists fibers into threads)
  2. an elderly unmarried woman

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