spinster

• Nom qui désignait historiquement une femme filant des fibres en fil, mais qui a ensuite pris le sens de femme âgée non mariée, souvent avec une connotation négative.

A noun that historically referred to a woman who spins fibers into thread, but later came to mean an elderly unmarried woman, often with a negative connotation.

1. Unmarried womanB2formal

   A woman who has never married, especially one considered to be past the typical age for marriage.

   vieille fille

   • The old spinster lived alone in a small cottage.
   • In the past, a spinster often faced social stigma.
   • She was content being a spinster and focusing on her career.

   Synonymesbachelor girlold maidunmarried woman

2. Person who spinsC1formal

   A person, typically a woman, whose occupation is to spin fibers into thread or yarn.

   Fileuse

   • The spinster worked diligently at her spinning wheel.
   • In medieval times, a spinster was a common household worker.
   • The spinster produced fine linen thread for the weaver.

   Synonymesspinner