Spin″ster (?), n. [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. Shak.
2. A man who spins. 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.