archwife

Look at other dictionaries:

• Archwife — Arch wife , n. [Pref. arch + wife.] A big, masculine wife. [Obs.] Chaucer. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• English words first attested in Chaucer — Contents 1 Etymology 2 List 2.1 Canterbury Tales General Prologue …   Wikipedia

• arch — {{11}}arch (adj.) 1540s, chief, principal, from prefix ARCH (Cf. arch ); used in 12c. archangel, etc., but extended to so many derogatory uses (arch rogue, arch knave, etc.) that by mid 17c. it acquired a meaning of roguish, mischievous, since… …   Etymology dictionary