good·wife \(ˈ)gu̇|dwīf; (ˈ)gœ̅|dwəif, (ˈ)gu̅e̅|-, (ˈ)gi|d-\noun (pluralgoodwives) Etymology: Middle English, from good + wife 1.chiefly Scotland a.: the lady of the house b.: the mistress of an inn : landlady 2.often capitalized, archaic: mrs., madam 1 — usually used with a surname < goodwife Brown >