housewifely
English
Etymology
From Middle English *houswyfely, *houswijfli, *houswiflich, suggested by houswifliche (adverb), equivalent to housewife + -ly.
Adjective
housewifely (comparative more housewifely, superlative most housewifely)
- Befitting a housewife.
- c. 1550 Thomas Becon, The Flour of Godly Praiers, London: John Day, “A generalle prayer that all Men may walke in their vo[c]acion and callynge,”[1]
- […] to make the yong women sobre minded, to loue their husbands to loue their children, to be discrete, chaste, housewifely, good and obediente vnto theyr owne husbands […]
- 1676, Thomas Shadwell, The Virtuoso, London: Henry Herringman, Act I, p. 12,[2]
- A wholesome good housewifely Countrey Wench is worth a thousand of you, in sadness.
- 1719, Daniel Defoe, The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, London: W. Taylor, p. 191,[3]
- […] as for the Maid, she was […] very handy and housewifely in any Thing that was before her; an excellent Manager, and fit indeed to have been Governess to the whole Island […]
- 1886, Thomas Hardy, The Mayor of Casterbridge, London: Smith, Elder & Co., Volume 2, Chapter 18, p. 240,[4]
- […] her stepfather […] waited on, looking into the fire and keeping the kettle boiling with housewifely care, as if it were an honour to have her in his house.
- 1969, Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, New York: Bantam, 1971, Chapter 31, p. 207,[5]
- […] I thought my father was mean and cruel. He had enjoyed his Mexican holiday, and still was unable to proffer a bit of kindness to the woman who had waited patiently, busying herself with housewifely duties.
- c. 1550 Thomas Becon, The Flour of Godly Praiers, London: John Day, “A generalle prayer that all Men may walke in their vo[c]acion and callynge,”[1]