American Dictionary of the English Language

WIFE, noun plural Wives. [G., a woman.]

1. The lawful consort of man; a woman who is united to man in the lawful bonds of wedlock; the correlative of husband.

The husband of one wife 1 Timothy 3:2.

Let every one of you in particular, so love his wife even as himself, and let the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 5:23.

2. A woman of low employment; as strawberry wives. [Not in use.]