/ˈspɪnstər/
spin·ster
BrE /ˈspɪnstə(r)/
NAmE /ˈspɪnstər/
(old-fashioned, often disapproving)
a woman who is not married, especially an older woman who is not likely to marry
HELP This word should not now be used to mean simply a woman who is not married. ➡ compare bachelor (1)
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spin·ster·hood
BrE /ˈspɪnstəhʊd/
NAmE /ˈspɪnstərhʊd/
[U]
For most women, marriage used to bring a higher status than spinsterhood.