wif

Definitions

1. 1.

   woman

   c. 992, Ælfric, "The Annunciation of St. Mary" Ūs becōm dēaþ and forwyrd þurh wīf, and ūs becōm eft līf and hredding þurh wīfmann.

   Death and disaster came to us through a woman [Eve], and then life and salvation came to us through a woman [Mary].

   c. 990, Wessex Gospels, John 4:27

   His disciples were amazed that he was talking to a woman, though none of them said “What are you looking for?” or “Why are you talking to her?”

2. 2.

   female

   c. 995, Ælfric, Extracts on Grammar in English Ǣġðer is mann ġe wer ġe wīf.

   A person is either a male or a female.

3. 3.

   wife

   The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Ōsrēd, þe wæs Norþanhymbra cining, æfter wræcsīþe hām cumenum ġelǣht wæs ⁊ ofslagen on XVIII Kƚ Octoƀ ⁊ his līc liġþ æt Tīnamūþe. ⁊ Æþelrēd cining feng tō nīwan wīfe, sēo wæs Ælflēd ġehāten, on III Kƚ Octobr̃.

   Osred, who was king of Northumbrian, was apprehended and slain on the 17th of October after coming home from his exile, and his body lies at Tynemouth. And King Aethelred took a new wife, whose name was Aelfled, on the third of October.

   late 9th century, King Alfred's translation of Boethius' The Consolation of Philosophy Swīðe wynsum hit biþ þæt man wīf hæbbe and bearn.

   It's very pleasant to have a wife and children.

Inflection Table