husband

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A man in a marriage or marital relationship, especially in relation to his spouse.

   You should start dating so you can find a suitable husband.

2. 2
   noun

   A prudent or frugal manager.

   God knows how little time is left me, and may I be a good husband, to improve the short remnant thereof.

3. 3
   noun

   A tiller of the ground; a husbandman.

   […] a withered tree, through husbands toyle, Is often seene full freshly to have florisht […]

4. 4
   noun

   The male of a pair of animals.

   Husband of the Herd

5. 5
   noun

   A large cushion with arms meant to support a person in the sitting position.

   While reading her book, Sally leaned back against her husband, wishing it were the human kind.

6. 6
   verb

   To manage or administer carefully and frugally; use to the best advantage; economise.

   And for my meanes, I'll husband them so well, They shall go farre with little.

7. 7
   verb

   To conserve.

   1719, Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe ...I found pens, ink, and paper, and I husbanded them to the utmost; and I shall show that while my ink lasted, I kept things very exact, but after that was gone I could not, for I could not make any ink by any means that I could devise.

8. 8
   verb

   To till; cultivate; farm; nurture.

   Land so trim and rarely husbanded.

Etymology

From Middle English husbonde, from Old English hūsbonda (“head of household”), from Old Norse húsbóndi, from hús + bóndi, corresponding to Proto-Germanic *hūsą (“house”) and *būandz (“dwelling, residing”, present participle). Compare English house and bond³.