History of the word spinster Emma Watson famously used the From the 17th century, the word 'spinster' had become the legal term used to describe a single woman. 1; noun spinster a woman whose occupation is spinning. First Known Use. com! Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘woman who spins’): from the verb spin + -ster; in early use the term was added to names of women to denote their occupation. Feb 15, 2012 · The Oxford Dictionaries [iii] traced the origin of the word, spinster, from the late Middle English period in history and determined that the term is taken from the verb, spin + ster, meaning one who spins. It wasn't long before it had acquired its derogatory connotations. minster, spinster, blister, hipster, quipster, tipster, trickster, inter Dec 31, 2024 · Single Women In the 1500s, a ‘spinster' meant someone who spun wool for a living; 100 years later, the word ‘spinster' came to denote a single woman, even in court and official records. In fact the word "spinster" was a descriptive term of one of the only professions that was female-dominated (spinning wool) for the majority of history. ) IPA: /ˈspɪnstɚ/ Noun spinster (pl. Apr 18, 2018 · The development of the word spinster is a good example of the way in which a word acquires strong connotations to the extent that it can no longer be used in a neutral sense. ” Whatever the tangled "spinster" published on by Oxford University Press. However, Mary, the mother of Jesus, was 14 when she married Joseph and could have been considered to be a spinster when she got married (by the current definition) since most females were married by the time they were 13. Lately, with the rise of solo living and the childfree alternative, it seems to be being redefined once again. Etymology: “Spinster” originally referred to a woman who spun thread and yarn, a common occupation for unmarried women in medieval and early modern Europe. Find more German words at wordhippo. Dec 2, 2019 · In an interview with Vogue in 2019, actress Emma Watson opened up about being a single 30-year-old woman. Now, empowered single women are labeling themselves as being “self-partnered” rather than single, alone or a spinster. Law: An unmarried or single woman; The term originally identified girls and women who spun wool. The noun 'spinster' is a gender specific noun for a female who is past a child bearing age but has never married. com! Etymology and History. Synonyms for spinster include virgin, celibatist, bachelorette, WGTOW, single woman, bachelor girl, lone woman, unmarried woman, old maid and prude. Susan Boyle, a talented Britains Got Talent contestant has been referred to as a spinster throughout the competition. It is professional enough to satisfy academic standards, but accessible enough to be used by anyone. @adda247 @SSCAdda247 @Vocabineer @LearnEnglishWithTVSeriesToday, we delve into the intriguing history and meaning of the word 'spinster'. Explanation: According to the Online Etymological Dictionary, spinning was "commonly done by unmarried women, hence the word came to denote" an unmarried woman in legal documents from the 1600s to the early 1900s, and "by 1719 was being used generically for 'woman still unmarried and beyond the usual age for it'". Spinster, as the name suggests, historically refers to women who literally spun thread and yarn for a living, dating back as far as the mid-1300s. Find more French words at wordhippo. This term was attached to the names of women to denote that their occupation was spinning. It can also indicate that a woman is considered unlikely to ever marry. spinster — spin|ster [ˈspınstə US ər] n old fashioned [Date: 1600 1700; Origin: spinster woman who spins (14 20 centuries), from spin] an unmarried woman, usually one who is no longer young and seems unlikely to marry … Dictionary of contemporary Aug 26, 2020 · The word “spinster” has historically referred to an unmarried woman, typically beyond the usual age for marriage and often used within a negative context to make women feel undesirable. " Meaning and Origin In medieval England, unmarried women were expected to contribute to the household economy by spinning yarn. The Two on My TBR . The word 'bachelor' was first recorded in 1297 by R Gloucester. May 19, 2022 · The chapter starts by exploring how unease about the middle-aged spinster was articulated in British films of the 1930s, whereas the elderly spinster could be a heroic martyr as in The Lady Vanishes (1938). spinster — noun Spinster is used before these nouns: ↑aunt … Collocations dictionary. 1; noun spinster woman still unmarried 1; noun spinster law: unmarried woman 1; noun spinster woman who spins 1 Delve into the fascinating history and meaning of the term "spinster. 2. Webster's Dictionary (1913 and 1828) defines spinster in two main senses: 1. The Greek word hysteria, after all, refers to the uterus. A Few Spinster Books I’ve Enjoyed Jul 1, 2019 · Four thousand years ago, hysterical suffocation was thought to be a result of women’s wombs wandering “restless” through the female body, wreaking havoc . com! Mar 12, 2018 · The word “spinster” has had a number of different meanings over its long history. Unravel the historical conte Feb 14, 2020 · Spinster origins and history. late 14c. In a recent interview with Vogue, actress Emma Watson opened up about being a single 30-year-old woman. Find more words! Another word for Opposite of Meaning of Rhymes with Sentences with Find word forms Translate from English Translate to English Words With Friends Scrabble Crossword / Codeword Words starting with Words ending with Words containing exactly Words containing letters Pronounce Find Apr 30, 2024 · The noun 'spinster' is a gender specific noun for a female, a word for a woman who is past a child bearing age but has never married. The current sense dates from the early 18th cent. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels. Origin spinster (1600-1700) spinster “ woman who spins ” ((14-20 centuries)), from spin Jun 25, 2024 · The word bachelorette is a more recent addition to popular culture, because the word spinster has such negative connotations. What is a word for unmarried woman? She is called a spinster. Spinster definition: . Dec 1, 2019 · Spinster, old maid or self-partnered – why words for single women have changed through time by Amy Froide Amy Froide , Professor of History, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Feb 14, 2020 · Spinster origins and history. The Oxford American English Dictionary defines spinster as "an unmarried woman, typically an older woman beyond the usual age for marriage". Unmarried women were expected to occupy themselves with spinning, hence in documents from 1600s to early 1900s the word came to be "the legal designation in England of all unmarried women from a viscount's daughter downward" [Century Dictionary], and by 1719 Oct 19, 2014 · The word ‘spinster’ originally had a different meaning. সঠিক উত্তর : bachelor অপশন ১ : unattached অপশন ২ : single অপশন ৩ : bachelor অপশন ৪ : divorced বর্ণনা: Spinster ( অবিবাহিত মহিলা, চিরকুমারী) এর Masculine gender ( পুংলিঙ্গ) হলো Bachelor ( কুমার, অবিবাহিত পুরুষ Sep 12, 2024 · A social history of spinsters after World War I. Ideally, she will be quite May 5, 2023 · spinster. Find more similar words at noun spinster Disparaging and Offensive. At the time the word 'spinster' was commonly used, no 10 Interesting Facts About the Word “Spinster” Let’s take a step back and have a look at some interesting facts about the word “spinster”. borrowing words from other languages; by coining new words; and by zero-morpheme derivation, or the expansion of the meanings of words already in existence without any change in their form. Continue reading “Celebrating Singlehood and Reclaiming the Word ‘Spinster’” Jul 19, 2023 · It’s a testament to the humiliation endured by unwedded women over the last 700-odd years that the stigma attached to ‘spinster’ endures to the present day; a reminder, too, of the ways in which craft history is woven into the fabric of our language. The current sense Usage History of 'spinster' The following chart shows how frequently 'spinster' appeared in printed materials over time. Perhaps the word is due a rethink. Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their changes in structure and significance. Instead of calling herself single, however, she used the word “self-partnered. Jun 24, 2023 · Finally, we will assess whether “spinster” remains a relevant part of modern vocabulary or if alternative terms are preferred in contemporary culture. 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1. Spanish words for spinster include solterona and soltera. cosmopolitan. From: spinster in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable » Dec 2, 2019 · By Amy Froide, chair and professor, Department of History, UMBC. Find more Spanish words at wordhippo. ) at the time the document was issued. Aug 30, 2023 · The noun 'spinster' is a gender specific noun for a female. What is the masculine term for spinster? Sep 24, 2023 · The noun 'bachelor' is the noun used for an unmarried, adult male, however, at the time the word 'spinster' was commonly used, no corresponding noun for a male was used because an unmarried man of The Oxford American Dictionary discussion of the word's etymology that "spinster" took on its meaning of a never-married woman in the early 18th century: "Origin late Middle English (in the sense 'woman who spins'): from the verb spin + -ster; in early use the term was appended to names of women to denote their occupation. Bridget Jones often refers to herself as a spinster in the film Bridget Jones' Diary. "A spinster traditio Jan 14, 2021 · What is the origin of the word spinster - 33321772. • A dried-up old spinster like that talking of love! • It had been clear from the start that the spinster had taken an instant dislike to both Ashi and her daughter. But the latter two words are far more recent constructions than “spinster”—and following a critical change in that ending. The first mention of the condition came during the 1602 trial of Elizabeth Jackson . com! May 13, 2017 · The development of the word spinster is a good example of the way in which a word acquires strong connotations to the extent that it can no longer be used in a neutral sense. As many were unmarried, the name ‘spinster’ was added to the end of her name to describe her occupation, eventually becoming the term for unmarried women (Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins, 2021). Dec 1, 2019 · Spinster, old maid or self-partnered – why words for single women have changed through time by Amy Froide Amy Froide , Professor of History, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Apr 28, 2022 · The word bachelorette is a more recent addition to popular culture, because the word spinster has such negative connotations. Two historical facts led to spinster's evolution: the fact that most spinners in the Middle Ages were women, and the fact that it was common in legal documents to use one's occupation as a sort of surname (which is why we have Smiths and Bakers and Tanners and so on). Spinster is a term of PRIDE. The objective is to promote history on Medium and demonstrate the value of historical writing. Unmarried women were expected to occupy themselves with spinning, hence in documents from 1600s to early 1900s the word came to be "the legal designation in England of all unmarried women from a viscount's daughter downward" [Century Dictionary], and by 1719 Sep 17, 2018 · A young woman who was 19 and unmarried would technically be a spinster, by today’s definition of the word. Spinster functioned as a "polite" code word for lesbians well into the twentieth century. ” I’ve Discover the surprising origins of the word "spinster"! Learn how this seemingly outdated term once referred to a skilled craft. Word History. ” So if you were nobility, you weren’t expected to spin, hence wouldn’t be a spinster if you were unwed. The word ‘bachelor’ emerged in the thirteenth century. Fifty years Patty and Selma Bouvier (sisters of Marge Simpson) live in Spinster City Apartments in The Simpsons. From the 17th century the word was appended to names as the official legal description of an unmarried woman: Elizabeth Harris of London, Spinster. It comes from the Middle English word Apr 21, 2015 · So that’s a long way of saying yes, but it was more this kind of internal questioning, and then smacking up against this external example from history. Because men also have the audacity to criticize women for absolutely everything and turn their professions into insults. [ 1 ] Apr 24, 2015 · Kate Bolick’s Spinster is being called a “book that will inspire fanatical devotion and ignite debate. What does it mean to be a modern spinster? What Does “Spinster” Mean? Traditionally, a spinster is a never-married woman without biological children. , spinnestre, "woman who spins, female spinner of thread," from spin (v. dated (woman still unmarried) fată bătrână s. The etymology of the word was Italy and France, not so long after the first use of the word, the denotation had changed. Eng. Some of the women get divorced and BAM back on the published writing scene. a woman still unmarried beyond the usual age of marrying. ) + -stere, feminine suffix (see -ster). [LME]A spinster was originally a woman who spun, something that many unmarried women used to do at home to earn their living. The history that led to the term “bachelor’s degree” and not “spinster’s degree” is a symptom of women’s exclusion from participating in society and their lack of agency in defining a role for themselves or being able to move across Synonyms for spinsters include virgins, celibatists, bachelorettes, bachelor girls, old maids, bachelors, prudes, goody-goodies, fuddy-duddies and killjoys. Singled Out by Virginia Nicholson. French words for spinster include vieille fille and célibataire. the best 91 rhymes and 2639 near rhymes for the word spinster using our rhyming dictionary. Gratuit. Not a ‘spinster’ life. Spinster, old maid or self-partnered – why words for single women have changed through time December 2 2019, by Amy Froide A 1797 print depicts three ‘old maids’ leading strings of apes in hell. The meaning of SPINSTER is a woman whose occupation is to spin. ” Part memoir of singleness, part biography of famously single women, the book is provoking conversation for its exploration of a figure with the power to vex, confuse, and intrigue: a woman who is single by choice. OED's earliest evidence for spinster is from 1380. spinster - traduction anglais-français. The noun 'bachelor' is The term “spinster” on legal documents was meant to show that a woman was single and had never been married (as opposed to widowed, divorced, etc. They indicate that “ spinster is applied in a number of legal and official documents of the late 16th and 17th centuries to women who are also described as wives and appear to be of high social rank. When she first arrived on stage both the Aug 29, 2023 · The word spinster came into English use in the fourteenth century, meaning a female spinner of thread, using a spinning wheel. Spinning commonly done by unmarried women, hence the word came to denote "an unmarried woman" in legal documents from 1600s to early 1900s, and by 1719 was being used Spinster definition: a woman still unmarried beyond the usual age of marrying. It’s not uncommon to find “spinster” listed for the bride on older marriage certificates, too, so make sure you’re not stopping your search . The word was often added after the name of a woman to describe her occupation, and in time became the official description of an unmarried woman. spinsters) (dated) A woman who has never been married, especially one past the typical marrying age according to social Reclaim the word! There is a book titled spinster which I recently read and ADORED. That the word remains in our everyday language is evidence of the former importance of spinning. Jan 27, 2020 · The Online Etymological Dictionary also draws a clear line from the work-related origin of the word “spinster” and its later derogatory connotations, pointing out that it was supposed to be exactly the sort of work with which unmarried women were supposed to occupy themselves, at least in England, by the 1600s: Sep 14, 2017 · In the words of Jane Austen about her character Charlotte Lucas, who at 27 was well on her way to being a spinster, “Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always May 5, 2023 · spinster. Instead of calling herself single, however, she used the word “self-partner A spinster originally referred to a girl or woman who made their living working from home spinning thread or yarn. f. In the fourteenth century Spinster was used in the sense of a ‘woman who spins thread’ but in the current sense (since 1719) it has Jan 22, 2024 · What’s fascinating is that from the 1600s until the 1900s, spinster was actually a legal definition in England of “all unmarried women, from a viscount’s daughter downward. (n. It originally meant when a man was in tarining to become a knight. ) IPA: /ˈspɪnstə/ (Amer. Kate Bolick’s memor/cultural study Spinster: Making a Life of One’s Own has gotten plenty of media attention, and in late spring, I read several intriguing reviews and interviews with the… Feb 21, 2023 · “ The development of the word spinster is a good example of the way in which a word acquires strong connotations to the extent that it can no longer be used in a neutral sense. Jan 19, 2025 · In the etymology of out word, one of the longest I’ve encountered so far at the OED, The writers complicate matters. It follows 5 female writers and how their careers flourish when they are single and dwindle to nothing when they’re married. The Online Etymological Dictionary says of the word origin and history: spinster: mid-14c. Find more opposite words at wordhippo. substantiv feminin : Desemnează ființe de sex feminin sau obiecte de parte femeiască: femeie , casă , plajă . [13] In her 2015 book, Spinster, Making a Life of One's Own, Kate Bolick has written, "To me, the spinster is self-reliant and Sep 23, 2021 · Upon use, either word can partially take on the meanings of the frequently paired words. 9 In Görlach’s view, a great many factors ‘often specific for the individual word, may be involved in the conditions that make change of meaning Antonyms for spinster include bride, married woman, partner, spouse, wife, helpmate, helpmeet, missus, wifey and mate. dated (woman still unmarried) ( informal ) solteirona sf substantivo feminino : Substantivo exclusivamente feminino. " Originally derived from the word "spin" it initially referred to a woman who engaged i German words for spinster include Jungfer, alte Jungfer, Ledige and Unverheiratete. Feb 1, 2020 · The Online Etymological Dictionary also draws a clear line from the work-related origin of the word spinster and its later derogatory connotations, pointing out that it was supposed to be exactly the sort of work with which unmarried women were supposed to occupy themselves, at least in England, by the 1600s: Mar 5, 2025 · From the 17th century the word was appended to names as the official legal description of an unmarried woman (as in, spinster of this parish); the current sense dates from the early 18th century. Synonyms for a spinster include single, unmarried, unattached, unwed, free, solo, spouseless, partnerless, uncommitted and uninvolved. Origins and Original Usage of “Spinster” The word spinster dates back to the 1300s and comes from the Old English “spinnan” meaning ‘to spin’. com/uk/love-sex/relationships/a30868873/spinster/ #spinster #history #1800s Origin of the Word ‘Spinster’ Fact Checks , Viral Content / By Brooke Binkowski / January 27, 2020 According to blog posts and memes, the derogatory connotation of the word comes from historical resentment toward women who were able to earn their own way without having to depend on a man to support them. " The earliest known use of the noun spinster is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). For instance, Barbara Bell's 1999 memoir quotes Joan Lock, a 1950s British police officer, as estimating that 10 to 15 percent of the women who served with her were of "the confirmed spinster type. The origin of the word dates back to the days when, spinning was not done by The online etymology dictionary (etymonline) is the internet's go-to source for quick and reliable accounts of the origin and history of English words, phrases, and idioms. spinnen (see spin) + -stere, feminine suffix. Forums pour discuter de spinster, voir ses formes composées, des exemples et poser vos questions. Aug 30, 2023 · The word "spinster" refers to a woman of marriageable age who is not married - this is its denotative meaning. " etymology of the word spinster (A person, esp a woman, whose occupation is spinning; C17: a woman still unmarried): from spin + -ster. In 1386 it was used by Chaucer to desribe an unmarried man of a marriagable age. . Spinster or old maid is a term referring to an unmarried woman who is older than what is perceived as the prime age range during which women usually marry. The Barbizon: The Hotel That Set Women Free by Paulina Bren (nonfiction) The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club: A Novel by Helen Simonson . Discover the true meaning and history of the word 'spinster' in this quick and insightful video! Learn how this term evolved from describing women who spun y And the topic here is the word beast yes spinster is bad too and i am sure it's a terrible time for woc; yes yes also mysoginy is a problem but let's talk about the choice of using the word beast in this script now sorry about war and misogyny and poverty and famine and all the other world problems or how 26 was considered old back then now let 'Spinster' gradually became a derogatory term for a woman who was unable to find herself a husband, at a time when marriage was considered an essential achievement for all women, and then it took on its present meaning. a woman who has never married. , "female spinner of thread," from M. The plural form of spinster is spinsters. • Both my father's sisters were spinsters. A woman who spins, or whose occupation is to spin. Once upon a time it did not have any particular connotation, either positive or negative. TammysAllThingsHistory · July 15 · · July 15 · "Spinster" is the term that the law applies to the woman who is unmarried. E. From 1563 to 2008, the word 'spinster' was used a total of 644,956 times in Jul 15, 2023 · History of the Spinster https://www. For example, the word 'spinster' occurred 14 times in books in 1563 and 29,930 times in 2008. May 20, 2015 · This blog post marks the first time--well, maybe the second time--I’ve blogged about a non-fiction book, and what a book it is. Sep 14, 2017 · On this day in 2005, England and Wales stopped using the terms “bachelor” and “spinster” to describe unmarried people on official documents, as they had done for decades prior. By the seventeenth century the term was used in a legal sense to The meaning of spinster. See examples of SPINSTER used in a sentence. It adds: "In modern everyday English, however, spinster cannot be used to mean simply 'unmarried woman'; as such, it is a derogatory term, referring or alluding to a stereotype of an older woman who is unmarried, childless, prissy, and repressed. Definition of spinster. Aug 22, 2023 · Originally a word for a woman who spins thread for a living, “spinster” is structured in the same way as words like “trickster” or “gangster”—it’s the word “spin” with an agent noun ending. Find more similar words at wordhippo. Women who spun yarn or thread were given the title Spinster in legal documents. Pronunciation (Brit. While the word was originally simply used to describe a woman's job, it quickly also became associated with women who were single and poor. 1; noun spinster Chiefly Law. Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘woman who spins’): from the verb spin + -ster; in early use the term was added to names of women to denote their occupation. spinster n noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc. Nov 9, 2023 · You only have to hear the word spinster to conjure up the age-old stereotype of a woman in her forties, single and sexually inactive, living alone or with a few cats. All Free. In modern everyday English, however, spinster cannot be used to mean simply ‘unmarried woman’; it is now a derogatory term, referring or alluding to a stereotype of an older woman who is unmarried, childless, prissy, and repressed word origin The term "spinster" originates from the Old English word "spinnan," which means "to spin. This type of use survives today in some legal and religious contexts. com! spinster (English) Origin & history From spin + -ster, from a historical notion of unmarried women spinning thread for a living. spinster - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. ). com! The title "spinster" has been embraced by feminists like Sheila Jeffreys, whose book The Spinster and Her Enemies (1985) defines spinsters simply as women who have chosen to reject sexual relationships with men. Time Traveler.
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