Spin"ster (?), n. [Spin + -ster.]

1.

A woman who spins, or whose occupation is to spin.

She spake to spinster to spin it out. Piers Plowman.

The spinsters and the knitters in the sun. Shak.

2.

A man who spins.

[Obs.]

Shak.

3. Law

An unmarried or single woman; -- used in legal proceedings as a title, or addition to the surname.

If a gentlewoman be termed a spinster, she may abate the writ. Coke.

4.

A woman of evil life and character; -- so called from being forced to spin in a house of correction.

[Obs.]

 

© Webster 1913.