spinster

English

Etymology

From spin +‎ -ster, from a historical notion of unmarried women spinning thread for a living.

Pronunciation

Noun

spinster (plural spinsters)

  1. (dated, sometimes derogatory) A woman who has never been married, especially one past the typical marrying age according to social traditions.
    Synonym: old maid
    • Coke
      If a gentlewoman be termed a spinster, she may abate the writ.
  2. One who spins (puts a spin on) a political media story so as to give something a favorable or advantageous appearance; a spin doctor, spin merchant or spin master.
  3. (obsolete) Someone whose occupation was spinning thread.
    • ~1601, William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, act II, scene IV:
      The spinsters and the knitters in the sun.
  4. (obsolete) A woman of evil life and character; so called from being forced to spin in a house of correction.
  5. (rare) A spider; an insect (such as a silkworm) which spins thread.

Translations

one who spins a political media story

See also

Further reading

Anagrams

Dutch

Etymology

From spinnen (“to spin”) +‎ -ster

Pronunciation

  • Audio(file)

Noun

spinster f (plural spinsters, diminutive spinstertje n)

  1. a female spinner
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