wife etymology

Etymology:

• Old English "wīf," meaning "woman" (as opposed to "husband," meaning "man")
• From Proto-Germanic "*wībam," meaning "woman"
• Related to German "Weib" and Dutch "wijf"

Meaning:

• The term "wife" typically refers to a woman who is married to a man.
• Beyond the context of marriage, it can also be used in a wider sense to denote a woman or an adult female.

Origin:

The word "wife" originated in the ancient Proto-Germanic language, which was spoken by the ancestors of modern Germanic-speaking peoples. The term "wībam" likely referred to the role of women in the household and their connection to the family unit.

Over time, the word evolved into various forms in different Germanic languages. In Old English, it became "wīf," which was used to refer to married women. In modern English, "wife" has retained its original meaning and is still commonly used to denote a woman who is legally and socially recognized as the partner of a man in a marital relationship.

wife relate terms

• fishwife

  Etymology Middle English fishwife c 1400 from Old English fiscwife literally

• fish

  Etymology The word fish originates from the Proto Indo European root peisk meaning

• wife

  Etymology Old English wīf meaning woman as opposed to husband meaning man

• housewife

  Etymology House OE hūs wife OE wīf Meaning A woman whose primary occu

• house

  Etymology The word house has an Indo European root h₁eu̯s This root also gave r

• wife

  Etymology Old English wīf meaning woman as opposed to husband meaning man

• husband

  Etymology The word husband comes from the Old Norse word húsbondi which is compose

• hussy

  Etymology The word hussy originated in the 15th century deriving from the Middle Engli

• quean

  Etymology The word quean has an uncertain etymology but there are several possible ori

• queen

  Etymology The word queen originates from the Old English word cwēn which in turn d

• woman

  Etymology The word woman comes from the Middle English word womman which in turn com

• trophy

  Etymology The word trophy comes from the Greek word tropaion τρόπαιον whi

• marry

  Etymology Old English mergian Proto Germanic marzjan Meaning To join together or unit

• Abigail

  Etymology The name Abigail is derived from the Hebrew name Avigayil אבגיל Mea

• partner

  Etymology The word partner is derived from the Middle French word partenaire which i

• husband

  Etymology The word husband comes from the Old Norse word húsbondi which is compose

• tame

  Etymology Old English tam adjective meaning gentle tame submissive Meaning