Housewife — Defs

01 n. The wife of a householder; the mistress of a family; the female head of a household.

1.
The wife of a householder; the mistress of a family; the female head of a household.
“He a good husband, a good housewife she.” — Dryden.
2.
A little case or bag for materials used in sewing, and for other articles of female work; -- called also hussy. Also: hussy
3.
A hussy.[R.]

Phrases & compounds

Sailor's housewife — a ditty-bag.

02 v. t. To manage with skill and economy, as a housewife or other female manager; to economize.

1.
To manage with skill and economy, as a housewife or other female manager; to economize.
“Conferred those moneys on the nuns, which since they have well housewived.” — Fuller.