Henpecked

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈhÉ›npÉ›kt/
• Hyphenation: hen + pecked

Origin

hen + pecked

Full definition of henpecked

Adjective

1. Particularly of husbands, plagued or overwhelmed by a nagging or overbearing wife.
• 1884, Henry James, "The Author of Beltraffio" in The English Illustrated Magazine 1 (9–10) (June–July 1884)."I noticed that he addressed her as 'My dear,' very genially, without any trace of resentment.... The quickness of the transition made me vaguely ask myself whether he were henpecked,—a shocking conjecture, which I instantly dismissed."

Synonyms

• pussywhipped
• under the thumb
• uxorious