Spinster
Defined in 4 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Black's (1910), Anderson (1889), Bouvier (1839)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
An addition given, in legal writings, to a woman who never was married. Lovelace, Wills, 269.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Dictionary of Law
William C. Anderson · 1889
A single or unmarried woman of mature years. Formerly used as a title or addition to the surname. The primitive meaning seems to have been ' ' spinner: ' ' the unmarried daughters who remained at home did the spinning, while the " wife " did the weaving. The termination "-ster"is for"-er," and signifies a female doer.
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
John Bouvier · 1839
an addition given, in legal writings, to.a woman who never was married. Lovel. on Wills, 269.