wifes

English

Verb

wifes

1. third-person singular simple present indicative of wife

Noun

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

• The standard plural is wives.

Middle English

Noun

wifes

1. Alternative form of wyfes

Old English

Noun

wīfes

1. genitive singular of wīf

Scots

Noun

wifes

1. plural of wife