wives
Definition
- Noun (plural form):
- Married women: "wives" is the plural of "wife," referring to adult women who are married to a husband.
- Historical or archaic: In older usage, "wives" could refer generally to women, especially older women or those of a certain social standing.
Usage Examples
Married women:
- The three wives of the village leaders met to discuss the festival. (The married women of the leaders gathered.)
- He was accompanied by his two wives at the ceremony. (His two married partners were with him.)
Historical/archaic:
- The old wives told tales by the fire. (The elderly women shared stories.)
- In medieval times, wives often managed the household. (Married women handled domestic duties.)
Advanced Usage
"old wives' tale": a traditional belief or superstition, often unscientific.
- She dismissed the advice as an old wives' tale. (She considered it a false, superstitious notion.)
"husbands and wives": a common phrase referring to married couples.
- The event was for husbands and wives only. (Only married couples were invited.)
Variants and Related Words
Wife (n, singular): a married woman.
- He introduced his wife to the guests. (His married partner.)
Wifely (adj): relating to or characteristic of a wife.
- She performed her wifely duties with care. (Duties expected of a wife.)
Wifeless (adj): without a wife.
- He remained wifeless after the divorce. (He had no wife.)
Synonyms
- Spouses: married partners (gender-neutral, but often used for wives and husbands).
- Consorts: formal term for partners, especially of royalty.
Related Idioms
"Take to wife": (archaic) to marry a woman.
- He took her to wife in a grand ceremony. (He married her.)
"All the world and his wife": everyone, especially a large crowd.
- All the world and his wife were at the market. (A huge number of people attended.)