spinsterlyadj.adv.
A. adj.
1. Appertaining to a spinner.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture of thread or yarn > [adjective] > spinning > one who
lanific1806
spinsterly1827
1827 C. Lamb Let. 4 Dec. (1935) III. 144 I feel most thankful for the spinsterly attentions of your sister. Thank the kind ‘knitter in the sun’.
2. Old-maidish.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > unmarried person(s) > unmarried woman > [adjective] > like or relating to elderly unmarried woman
tabby1748
old-maidish1766
old-maidenly1784
spinsterian1819
old-maidenish1835
spinsterial1849
old-maidy1884
spinsterish1892
spinsterous1899
spinsterly1902
1902 Daily Chron. 17 Nov. 5/2 New England..is not really spinsterly, but only so by comparison.
B. adv.
In the manner of a spinster.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > unmarried person(s) > unmarried woman > [adverb] > in manner of old maid
old-maidishly1886
spinsterly1894
1894 Sketch 4 July 522/1 Miss Wilkins is handling the life too delicately, too spinsterly, too much, in fact, as a New England Nun.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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adj.adv.1827