(a) A human biological female, a woman; also in fig. context [quot. 1340]; also, the female partner in procreation, the mother [last quot.]; (b) the mistress of a household; also, a stewardess (of property).

In phrases, cpds., and combs.: (a) ~ kin, q.v.; ~ olde, olde ~, an elderly woman; also used as a term of disparagement [see also old(e adj. 1a.(d)]; arche ~, q.v.; (b) ~ and man, man and ~, etc., everyone, male and female alike; wif(es sone, wifes child, a man, anyone; wif(es sones, wifes barnes, men, people; hous-bondes and wifes, ?farm men and farm women; (c) wif(es imone [OE wīf-gemāna], ~ lust, sexual activity with a woman, coitus; wifes flewsa, abnormal menstrual flow; (d) frensh wifes hod, a heraldic badge of uncertain appearance; (e) ale ~, a barmaid; feld ~, ?a female agricultural worker; ?the wife of a rustic [cp. sense 2b.(c)]; god ~ [see god wif phr. & n. (b)]; hous ~ [see also hous-wif n. (a) & (c)]; mid ~ [see also mid-wif n.]; poding ~, a woman who makes or sells sausages.

(a) The female partner in a sanctioned union, a wife; (someone’s) wife; also fig. [quot. ?a1425(c1380)]; wedded ~; (b) in contrast or collocation with mai, maide, or maiden: a woman who is or has been married; a woman who has had sexual experience, a woman who is not a virgin; (c) a cleric’s concubine or, occas., a wife; also, a concubine in a harem [quot. c1300]; prestes (arche-dekenes) ~; (d) fig. the figure presented as the passive or female partner in a spiritual union; also, Christ as the wife of each soul from among the elect [quot. c1475].

In selected phrases, cpds., and combs.: (a) haven (inimen, taken, etc.) to ~, holden (to) ~, wedden (unto) ~, to marry (a woman), take as (one’s) bride or concubine; also fig. and in fig. context; holden (to) ~, welden to ~, etc., have (a woman) for a (one’s) wife, be a husband to; profren (yeven, etc.) ~, offer or give (a woman, a woman to a man) as a bride, give in marriage; willen to ~, seek (a woman) as one’s wife, wish to marry; (b) wif(es fader, ~ moder, father- (mother-) in-law; brother (sones) ~, sister- (daughter-) in-law; double ~, two legal wives; doublen wifes, to take two or more wives; secondarie ~, a concubine; (c) feldman(nes ~, ?the wife of a rustic; ?a woman who works in the fields [cp. sense 1b.(e)]; pulteres ~, a poultry dealer’s wife; smith(es ~, ?the wife of a smith; ?a female blacksmith [cp. sense 1b.(e)]; tavernere(s ~, ?the wife of a tavernkeeper; ?a female tavernkeeper [cp. sense 1b.(e)]; (d) ~ hore, ?a faithless wife; ?a married whore; wifes flatering, ?wifely blandishments; ?women’s wiles; wifes pine, a punishment inflicted on wayward wives; arche ~, q.v.; (e) ~ thing, q.v.; wifes weddinge, some kind of service or customary rent, perh. a payment levied on marriage.

(a) The biological female of a species of animal or bird; also, the female member of a mated pair of animals or birds; (b) the female of a dioecious plant; (c) alch. an element or ingredient construed as female in alchemical preparations, prob. sophic mercury; femele ~; hous-bonde and ~ [cp. hous-bond(e n.(1) (b)].

(a) In surnames; god ~ [see god wif phr. & n. (c)]; hous ~ [see hous-wif n. (f)]; (b) in place names [see Smith PNElem. 2.264].