House"wife` (?), n. [House +
wife. Cf. Hussy.] 1. The wife of a
householder; the mistress of a family; the female head of a
household. Shak.
He a good husband, a good housewife
she.
Dryden.
2. (Usually pronounced ?.) [See Hussy, in
this sense.] A little case or bag for materials used in sewing,
and for other articles of female work; -- called also
hussy. [Written also huswife.] P.
Skelton.
3. A hussy. [R.] [Usually written
huswife.] Shak.
Sailor's housewife, a ditty-bag.
{ House"wife` (?), House"wive` (?), } v.
t. 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.