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. [Obs.]
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.
[Obs.]
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. [Obs.]
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.
[Obs.]
