(ˈ)gu̇|dwīf; (ˈ)gœ̅|dwəif, (ˈ)gu̅e̅|-, (ˈ)gi|d- noun
( plural goodwives )
Etymology: Middle English, from good + wife
1. chiefly Scotland
a. : the lady of the house
b. : the mistress of an inn : landlady
2. often capitalized , archaic : mrs. , madam 1 — usually used with a surname
goodwife Brown