old-womanish

English

Etymology

old woman + -ish

Adjective

old-womanish (comparative more old-womanish, superlative most old-womanish)

  1. Having the negative traits of a stereotypical elderly woman: peevish, superstitious, prim and proper, etc.
    • 1900, Mary Jane Holmes, Millbank; or Roger Irving's Ward (page 85)
      He did not say that he thought her position stiff, and her dress too old for her, though he had thought it, and smiled at the prim, old-womanish figure, sitting so erect in the high-backed chair.
    • 2001, Witness Lee, Life-Study of 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon (page 73)
      If we would exercise ourselves unto godliness, we must refuse profane and old-womanish tales. Much of the teaching and preaching in Christianity today falls in the category of old-womanish tales.
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