subs. (colloquial).—1. A term of abuse; spec. a harlot. Whence TO WOMAN (or WOMANIZE) = (1) to scold or abuse, and (2) to whore; TO PLAY THE WOMAN = to be addicted to the practice of men; TO BE AS WOMEN WISH WHO LOVE THEIR LORDS = to be pregnant; TO MAKE AN HONEST WOMAN (see HONEST); WOMAN OF THE TOWN = a harlot; WISE WOMAN = a midwife; WOMAN’S BROKER = a bawd; TO MAKE ONE A WOMAN = to deflower; TO ENJOY A WOMAN = to possess her: see ENJOY.
1648–50. BRATHWAITE, Drunken Barnaby’s Journal, 9.
| Where I drank, and took my common | |
| In a tap-house with my WOMAN. |
1705. WARD, Hudibras Redivivus, II. ii. 5. To starve, beg, steal, or PLAY THE WOMAN [i.e., the whore].
1740. RICHARDSON, Pamela, ii. 268. She called her another time fat-face, and WOMANED her most violently.
1809. MALKIN, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], 392. Scipio and myself were … very soon to have the satisfaction of becoming fathers: our lasses were as WOMEN wish to be who love their lords.
2. See TAIL.
