The wife of a householder; the mistress of a family; the female head of a household. Shak. He a good husband, a good housewife she. Dryden.
A little case or bag for materials used in sewing, and for other articles of female work; -- called also hussy. [Written also huswife.] P. Skelton.
A hussy. [R.] [Usually written huswife.] Shak. Sailor's housewife, a ditty-bag.
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