Spinster

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈspɪnstÉ™/
• GenAm IPA: /ˈspɪnstÉš/

Origin

From spin + -ster, from a historical notion of unmarried women spinning thread for a living.

Full definition of spinster

Noun

1. A woman who has never been married, especially one past the typical marrying age according to social traditions.
• CokeIf a gentlewoman be termed a spinster, she may abate the writ.
2. One who spins (puts a spin on) a political media story so as to give something a favorable or advantageous appearance; a spin doctor, spin merchant or spin master.
3. (obsolete) Someone whose occupation was spinning thread.
• ~1601, William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night , act II, scene IV:The spinsters and the knitters in the sun.
4. (obsolete) A woman of evil life and character; so called from being forced to spin in a house of correction.

Synonyms

• old maid