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spinster

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.

3. 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.

Origin: Spin _ -ster.