Law. [a. AF. feme soul(e a woman alone.] a. A woman who has not the protection of a husband; an unmarried woman, a spinster; a widow. b. A married woman who with respect to property is as independent of her husband as if she were unmarried.
Also attrib., as feme-sole merchant, trader, a married woman who uses a trade alone, or without her husband (Webster).
[1528. Perkins, Prof. Bk. (1532), 2. Mes si feme soule soit executrix. Ibid., 2 b. Si feme soul … fist fait del graunt.] Ibid. (1642) (transl. of prec.), i. § 20. If … the wife as a feme sole … grant a rent.
1714. Scroggs, Courts-leet (ed. 3), 90. If the Cattle of a Feme-sole be taken, and afterwards she marry.
1845. Ld. Campbell, Chancellors (1857), I. vii. 121. The Queen Consort being considered sufficiently protected by being privileged as a feme sole, and having a right to sue by her attorney-general.
1858. Ld. St. Leonards, Handy-bk. Prop. Law, xiii. 73. She becomes after the judicial separation, and whilst it continues, a feme sole (a single woman) with respect to property.
