Lexic.us

Definition of Spinster

1. Noun. An elderly unmarried woman.

Definition of Spinster

1. n. A woman who spins, or whose occupation is to spin.

Definition of Spinster

1. Noun. A woman who has never been married, especially one past the normal marrying age according to social traditions. ¹

2. Noun. 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. ¹

3. Noun. (obsolete) Someone whose occupation was spinning thread. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Spinster

1. an unmarried woman who is past the usual age for marrying [n -S]

Medical Definition of Spinster

1. 1. A woman who spins, or whose occupation is to spin. "She spake to spinster to spin it out." (Piers Plowman) "The spinsters and the knitters in the sun." (Shak) 2. A man who spins. 3. An unmarried or single woman; used in legal proceedings as a title, or addition to the surname. "If a gentlewoman be termed a spinster, she may abate the writ." (Coke) 4. A woman of evil life and character; so called from being forced to spin in a house of correction. Origin: Spin + -ster. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Spinster

Literary usage of Spinster

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Publications by Surrey Parish Register Society (1905)
"John Barnes, batchelor, and Jane Shearman, spinster, both of this parish. ... James Lamb, batchelor, and Sarah ledson, spinster, both of Mortlake in Surrey. ..."

2. Allegations for Marriage Licences Issued by the Dean and Chapter of by Joseph Lemuel Chester, George John Armytage (1886)
"5 Nowell Ansell, Bachelor, & Mary Snipe, spinster. July 25 John Boult, "Widower, ... Levett, of same, spinster. June 13 Richard Sanders, Widower, ..."

3. The Publications of the Harleian Society by Harleian Society (1887)
"1 "William Fordham, of S' Bartholomew the Great, London, Tailor, & Sarah Wood, of same, spinster, dau. of [blank] Wood, dec'1 ; at S1 Michael ad ..."

4. Woman's Share in Social Culture by Anna Garlin Spencer (1912)
"IV THE DAY OF THE spinster THE day of the spinster did not dawn until women, ... To-day we use the word spinster in colloquial speech as the designation of ..."

5. Allegations for Marriage Licences Issued by the Bishop of London, 1520 to [1828] by Joseph Lemuel Chester, Church of England Diocese of London (1887)
"15 John Perks, of S1 Andrew's Wardrobe, London, Bachelor, 30, & Elizabeth Wentworth, of S' Catherine Coleman, London, spinster, 22, at own disposal ..."

6. The Publications of the Thoresby Society by Thoresby Society (1893)
"James Lacy x husbandman, and Mary Harrison x spinster, both of Adel. ... Joseph Philips x carpenter, and Hannah Bailey, spinster, both of Adel. ..."

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