husband

[ huhz-buhnd ]

noun

1. a married man, especially when considered in relation to his partner in marriage.
2. British. a manager.
3. Archaic. a prudent or frugal manager.

verb (used with object)

1. to manage, especially with prudent economy.
2. to use frugally; conserve:

   to husband one's resources.

   Synonyms: hoard, store, save, preserve

3. Archaic.
   1. to be or become a husband to; marry.
   2. to find a husband for.
   3. to till; cultivate.

husband

/ ˈhʌzbənd /

noun

1. a woman's partner in marriage
2. archaic.
   1. a manager of an estate
   2. a frugal person

verb

1. to manage or use (resources, finances, etc) thriftily
2. archaic.
   1. tr to find a husband for
   2. (of a woman) to marry (a man)
3. obsolete.
   tr to till (the soil)

Derived Forms

• ˈhusbandless, adjective
• ˈhusbander, noun

Other Words From

• husband·er noun
• husband·less adjective
• un·husband·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of husband¹

before 1000; Middle English husband ( e ), Old English hūsbonda master of the house < Old Norse hūsbōndi, equivalent to hūs house + bōndi ( bō-, variant of bū- dwell ( boor ) + -nd present participle suffix + -i inflectional ending)

Word History and Origins

Origin of husband¹

Old English hūsbonda, from Old Norse hūsbōndi, from hūs house + bōndi one who has a household, from bōa to dwell

Related Words

• companion
• partner
• spouse