grass widow

noun

1
chiefly dialectal
a
: a discarded mistress
b
: a woman who has had an illegitimate child
2
a
: a woman whose husband is temporarily away from her
b
: a woman divorced or separated from her husband

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1699, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of grass widow was circa 1699

Dictionary Entries Near grass widow

Cite this Entry

“Grass widow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grass%20widow. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

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