n. (pl. women) 1 an adult human female. 2 the female sex; any or an average woman (how does woman differ from man?). 3 a wife or female sexual partner. 4 (prec. by the) emotions or characteristics traditionally associated with women (brought out the woman in him). 5 a man with characteristics traditionally associated with women. 6 (attrib.) female (woman driver; women friends). 7 (as second element in comb.) a woman of a specified nationality, profession, skill, etc. (Englishwoman; horsewoman). 8 colloq. a female domestic help. 9 archaic or hist. a queen's etc. female attendant ranking below lady (woman of the bedchamber). woman of the streets a prostitute. Women's Institute an organization of women in rural areas to meet regularly and participate in crafts, cultural activities, etc. women's lib colloq. = women's liberation. women's libber colloq. a supporter of women's liberation. women's liberation the liberation of women from inequalities and subservient status in relation to men, and from attitudes causing these. Women's Liberation (or Movement) a movement campaigning for women's liberation. women's rights rights that promote a position of legal and social equality of women with men. womanless adj. womanlike adj.
[ OE wifmon, -man (as WIFE, MAN), a formation peculiar to English, the ancient word being WIFE ]