Spinster
['spɪnstə] or ['spɪnstɚ]
Definition
(n.) A woman who spins, or whose occupation is to spin.
(n.) A man who spins.
(n.) An unmarried or single woman; -- used in legal proceedings as a title, or addition to the surname.
(n.) A woman of evil life and character; -- so called from being forced to spin in a house of correction.
Checked by Harriet
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Single woman, maiden lady.
Typist: Ora
Definition
n. an unmarried female: an old maid: (obs.) a woman of loose character fit for the spinning-house.—ns. Spin′sterdom the world of old maids collectively; Spin′sterhood Spin′stership the state of being a spinster; Spin′stress one who spins.
Editor: Solomon
Unserious Contents or Definition
An ember from which the sparks have flown.
Editor: Nat
Examples
- How dear Emily is flirting with the strange gentleman,' whispered the spinster aunt, with true spinster-aunt-like envy, to her brother, Mr. Wardle. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- When the spinster took her drive, the faithful Mrs. Bute sate beside her in the carriage. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Formerly Caroline Jellyby, spinster, then of Thavies Inn, within the city of London, but extra-parochial; now of Newman Street, Oxford Street. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I have forgotten my flowers,' said the spinster aunt. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Mr. Tupman took the arm of the spinster aunt, and walked towards the house; the fat boy followed behind. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Don't be long,' said the spinster affectionately, as Mr. Jingle stuck the pinched-up hat on his head. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- You are a spinster? Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Here the spinster aunt burst into fit number two, of hysteric laughter interspersed with screams. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The spinster caused Briggs to write back to the Colonel a gracious and complimentary letter, encouraging him to continue his correspondence. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Here he shook his head expressively, and the spinster aunt trembled with agitation. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- I _won't_ be taken away,' murmured the spinster aunt. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The spinster aunt appeared; she smiled, and beckoned them to walk quicker. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- A mature spinster, and having but faint ideas of marriage, her love for the blacks occupied almost all her feelings. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- You will take cold in the evening air,' urged the spinster aunt affectionately. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- I ain't,' said the spinster aunt, her indignation getting the better of her determination to faint. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The warp was made by the cloth and linen manufacturers, and the weft yarns furnished by the woman spinsters throughout the country. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Husbands and wives TALK of the cares of matrimony, and bachelors and spinsters BEAR them. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
Typist: Tabitha