wife-in-law

== English == === Etymology === From wife +‎ -in-law. === Pronunciation === (1, 2): IPA(key): /ˌwaɪf ɪn ˈlɔː/ (3): IPA(key): /ˈwaɪfɪnlɔː/ === Noun === wife-in-law (plural wives-in-law) A wife in law only, such as one who has abandoned her husband A wife who provides domestic or social support, but not love or affection Another wife of one's husband. Typically used in cases of divorce and subsequent remarriage for one's husband's ex-wife, but sometimes used in polygamy for a co-wife. ==== Synonyms ==== co-wife (synonymous with the polygamous sense of the term) sister-wife (synonymous with the polygamous sense of the term) ==== Coordinate terms ==== husband-in-law ==== Related terms ==== in-law