wive

Everyday

1. (archaic) To wive is to marry a woman, or to take a wife. This old verb is almost never used now. tree →
2. As a fragment, «wive» is usually part of «wives», the plural of «wife». tree →

In the lessons

Found only in very old writing, such as Shakespeare's plays and old ballads. Pupils are far more likely to meet «wives» (the plural of «wife») or to see «wive» as a typo. In everyday English say «marry».

Examples

• In an old play, a man says he has come «to wive and thrive». tree →
• Henry the Eighth had six wives. tree →
• «Wive» is an old word; today we say «marry». tree →
• The farmers' wives sold butter at the market. tree →

Note

Archaic: do not use it in modern writing. Plural of «wife» is «wives» (f changes to v + es), like knife → knives, life → lives. «Wive» alone is not the singular of «wives» — the singular is «wife».

In Jewish tradition

"Wives" here is the plural of "wife". In the primary lessons: Found only in very old writing, such as Shakespeare's plays and old ballads. Pupils are far more likely to meet «wives» (the plural of «wife») or to see «wive» as a typo. In everyday English say «marry».

Examples

• Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon the camels; (Torah GEN.31.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him; (Torah GEN.8.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'Go forth from the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee. (Torah GEN.8.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he sought for them many wives. (Writings 2CH.11.23, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Ashhur the father of Tekoa had two wives, Helah and Naarah. (Writings 1CH.4.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart. (Prophets ZEC.12.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Archaic: do not use it in modern writing. Plural of «wife» is «wives» (f changes to v + es), like knife → knives, life → lives. «Wive» alone is not the singular of «wives» — the singular is «wife».