English

Noun

weaker vessel ‎(plural weaker vessels)

1. (idiomatic, dated, now offensive) A woman; women collectively.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible - King James Version, First Epistle General of Peter, 3:7:

     Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel.

   • 1727, Daniel Defoe, The History of the Devil, ch. 8:

     Certainly, when Satan first made the Attempt upon Eve, he did not think he should have so easily conquered her. . . . Well might she be said to be the weaker Vessel, tho’ Adam himself had little enough to say for his being the stronger.

   • 1868, Louisa May Alcott, Little Women, ch. 41:

     When women are the advisers, the lords of creation don't take the advice till they have persuaded themselves that it is just what they intended to do. Then they act upon it, and, if it succeeds, they give the weaker vessel half the credit of it. If it fails, they generously give her the whole.

Usage notes

• Usually preceded by the.
• In contemporary usage, this term is likely to be regarded as belittling and inappropriate.

Translations

See also

• fair sex