Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Housewife \House"wife`\, n. [House + wife. Cf. {Hussy}.]
   1. The wife of a householder; the mistress of a family; the
      female head of a household. --Shak.

            He a good husband, a good housewife she. --Dryden.

   2. (Usually pronounced ?.) [See {Hussy}, in this sense.] A
      little case or bag for materials used in sewing, and for
      other articles of female work; -- called also {hussy}.
      [Written also {huswife}.] --P. Skelton.

   3. A hussy. [R.] [Usually written {huswife}.] --Shak.

   {Sailor's housewife}, a ditty-bag.

Housewife \House"wife`\, Housewive \House"wive`\, v. t.
   To manage with skill and economy, as a housewife or other
   female manager; to economize.

         Conferred those moneys on the nuns, which since they
         have well housewived.                    --Fuller.

Source : WordNet®

housewife
     n : a wife who who manages a household while her husband earns
         the family income [syn: {homemaker}, {lady of the house},
          {woman of the house}]
     [also: {housewives} (pl)]