/hows"wuyf'/ or, usually, /huz"if/ for 2 , n. , pl. housewives /-wuyvz'/ , v. , housewifed, housewifing .
n.
1. a married woman who manages her own household, esp. as her principal occupation.
2. Brit. a sewing box; a small case or box for needles, thread, etc.
v.t. , v.i.
3. Archaic. to manage with efficiency and economy, as a household.
[ 1175-1225; ME hus ( e ) wif. See HOUSE, WIFE ]
Usage. 1. HOUSEWIFE is offensive to some, perhaps because of an implied contrast with career woman ( just a housewife ) and perhaps because it defines an occupation in terms of a woman's relation to a man. Homemaker is a common substitute.