Pl. -women. [f. as prec. + WOMAN.] A woman engaged in trade, or in a particular trade or calling; in quots. 1707, 1778, the wife of a tradesman.
1707. Reflex. upon Ridicule, II. 212. Who can hold his Indignation, to see new vamp’d Tradeswomen, whose Dress and Train, and Furniture and Table, create Envy in Women of the first Quality?
1778. Johnson, 13 May, in Boswell. Tradeswomen (I mean the wives of tradesmen) in the city.
1889. Sat. Rev., 23 Feb., 218/1. The gentle lady must be put off, and the shrewd and thrifty tradeswoman must be put on.
