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Webster 1913 Edition
Spinster
Spin′ster
,Noun.
[
Spin
+ -ster
.] 1.
A woman who spins, or whose occupation is to spin.
She spake to
spinster
to spin it out. Piers Plowman.
The
spinsters
and the knitters in the sun. Shakespeare
2.
A man who spins.
[Obs.]
Shak.
3.
(Law)
An unmarried or single woman; – used in legal proceedings as a title, or addition to the surname.
If a gentlewoman be termed a
spinster
, she may abate the writ. Coke.
4.
A woman of evil life and character; – so called from being forced to spin in a house of correction.
[Obs.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Spinster
SPIN'STER
,Noun.
1.
A woman who spins, or whose occupation is to spin. Hence,2.
In law, the common title by which a woman without rank or distinction is designated. If a gentlewoman is termed a spinster, she may abate the writ.