— wifedom , n. — wifeless , adj. — wifelessness , n.
/wuyf/ , n. , pl. wives /wuyvz/ , v. , wifed, wifing .
n.
1. a woman joined in marriage to a man; a woman considered in relation to her husband; spouse.
2. a woman ( archaic or dial., except in idioms): old wives' tale.
3. take to wife , to marry (a particular woman): He took an heiress to wife.
v.i. , v.t.
4. Rare. wive.
[ bef. 900; ME, OE wif woman; c. D wijf, G Weib, ON vif ]