House″wife′ (?), n. [House + wife. Cf. Hussy.] 1. The wife of a householder; the mistress of a family; the female head of a household. Shak.
He a good husband, a good housewife she. Dryden.
2. (Usually pronounced �.) [See Hussy, in this sense.] A little case or bag for materials used in sewing, and for other articles of female work; — called also hussy. [Written also huswife.] P. Skelton.
3. A hussy. [Usually written huswife.] Shak.
Sailor's housewife, a ditty-bag.