[hous-wahyf or, usually, huhz-if for 2] 
noun, plural -wives [-wahyvz] , verb, -wifed, -wif⋅ing.| 1. | a married woman who manages her own household, esp. as her principal occupation. |
| 2. | British. a sewing box; a small case or box for needles, thread, etc. |
| 3. | Archaic. to manage with efficiency and economy, as a household. |
| house·wife (hous'wīf') n. pl. house·wives (-wīvz')
[Middle English houswif : hous, house; see house + wife, wife; see wife.] |
ɪf