housewife

n. [ House + wife. Cf. Hussy. ] 1. The wife of a householder; the mistress of a family; the female head of a household. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

He a good husband, a good housewife she. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. ety>[ See Hussy, in this sense. ] A little case or bag for materials used in sewing, and for other articles of female work; -- called also hussy. [ Written also huswife. ] P. Skelton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A hussy. [ R. ] [ Usually written huswife. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sailor's housewife, a ditty-bag.

a. Pertaining or appropriate to a housewife; domestic; economical; prudent. [ 1913 Webster ]

A good sort of woman, ladylike and housewifely. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The business of the mistress of a family; female management of domestic concerns. [ 1913 Webster ]