Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

oldwives

noun

/ˈoʊldˌwaɪvz/

Definition

Women who are regarded as having traditional knowledge of herbal remedies and folk medicine, often perceived as being superstitious or knowledgeable about domestic matters.

Examples

Oldwives often share remedies for common ailments that have been passed down through their families.
Her grandmother, an oldwife, had many tales about the secrets of the forest.

Meaning

The term relates to elderly women, often associated with old wives’ tales, which are traditional beliefs or stories passed down through generations that may lack scientific support.