goodwife noun. ['gʊdwʌɪf] Pl. -wives [-wʌɪvz]. ME.
[from GOOD adjective + WIFE noun.]
1. The female head of a household, a housewife; esp. a wife (in relation to her husband). Now chiefly Scot. arch. ME.

2. As a prefix to the surname of a woman (usu. of low rank): Mrs. obsolete exc. Hist. E16.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲