English edit

Verb edit

wifes

  1. third-person singular simple present indicative of wife

Noun edit

wifes

  1. (nonstandard) plural of wife
  2. (obsolete) genitive of wife
    • 1579, Plutarke of Chæronea [i.e., Plutarch], “The Life of Paulus Æmilius”, in Thomas North, transl., The Lives of the Noble Grecians and Romaines, [], London: [] Richard Field, →OCLC, page 265:
      [] for all that he had, was litle enough to ſatisfie his wifes ioynter.
    • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, “Of three good Women”, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes [], book II, London: [] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount [], →OCLC, page 429:
      And fearing leſt the torments he felt, might in ſome ſort entender his wifes heart; [], he beſought her to be pleaſed he might be caried into the next chamber, which was accordingly performed.
    • 1662, John Reynolds, “History XI”, in The Triumphs of Gods Revenge against the Crying and Execrable Sin of Murther. [] Book III, London: [] A. M. for William Lee, [], →OCLC, page 152:
      De Salez her Husband ſtriving and ſtrugling for life againſt the pangs of death; fear and haſt (contrary to her intent and mind) had ſo made his murtherous wifes hand ſhake and tremble, as ſhe did not ſo fully cut his throat-bole, but he could yet both cry and groan, which he did very mournfully, and which indeed was ſoon over-heard by a man and a maid-ſervant of his, []

Usage notes edit

  • The standard plural is wives.

Middle English edit

Noun edit

wifes

  1. Alternative form of wyfes

Scots edit

Noun edit

wifes

  1. plural of wife