spinster

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English spynnestere (“woman who spins fibre”), from c. 1350; equivalent to spin +‎ -ster. The semantic development is from a historical notion of unmarried women spinning thread for a living. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈspɪnstə/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈspɪnstɚ/ === Noun === spinster (plural spinsters) (sometimes derogatory) A woman who has never been married, especially one past the typical marrying age according to social traditions. Synonym: old maid 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 spinmeister. (obsolete) Someone whose occupation was spinning thread. (obsolete) A woman of evil life and character; so called from being forced to spin in a house of correction. (rare, dialectal) A spider; an insect (such as a silkworm) which spins thread. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === See also === === Further reading === spinster on Wikipedia.Wikipedia === Anagrams === Prentiss, prestins == Dutch == === Etymology === From spinnen (“to spin”) +‎ -ster. === Pronunciation === === Noun === spinster f (plural spinsters, diminutive spinstertje n, masculine spinner) spinner (female)