A female housekeeper; a woman who manages domestic affairs; a thirfty woman. "The bounteous huswife Nature." Shak. The huswife is she that do labor doth fall. Tusser.
A worthless woman; a hussy. [Obs.] Shak.
A case for sewing materials. See Housewife. Cowper.
To manage with frugality; -- said of a woman. Dryden.
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