Washerwoman: meaning, definitions and examples
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washerwoman
[ ˈwɒʃəˌwʊmən ]
job, profession
A washerwoman is a woman whose job is to wash clothes and laundry. Historically, this occupation was common before the advent of modern washing machines. Washerwomen often worked in their homes or at communal laundry facilities. They played a crucial role in the maintenance of household cleanliness, especially before the 20th century when domestic appliances became widely available. This term is less common today but can be found in historical texts or in discussions about past occupations.
Synonyms
clothes washer, laundress, laundry worker.
Examples of usage
- The washerwoman collected the dirty clothes every week.
- In the past, a washerwoman would scrub clothes by hand.
- The novel featured a washerwoman as one of its main characters.
Translations
Translations of the word "washerwoman" in other languages:
🇵🇹 lavadeira
🇮🇳 धोबीनी
🇩🇪 Wäscherin
🇮🇩 pencuci pakaian
🇺🇦 прачка
🇵🇱 praczka
🇯🇵 洗濯女
🇫🇷 blanchisseuse
🇪🇸 lavandera
🇹🇷 çamaşır yıkayıcısı
🇰🇷 세탁부
🇸🇦 غسالة
🇨🇿 prádelnice
🇸🇰 práčka
🇨🇳 洗衣妇
🇸🇮 pralnica
🇮🇸 þvottakona
🇰🇿 жуғыш әйел
🇬🇪 სარეცხი ქალი
🇦🇿 paltar yuyan qadın
🇲🇽 lavandera
Etymology
The term 'washerwoman' is derived from the combination of the word 'washer' and 'woman'. The word 'wash' comes from the Old English 'wascan', which meant to cleanse or to wash. In earlier times, washing clothes was a labor-intensive task often performed by women who dedicated themselves to this occupation. The role of washerwomen was particularly significant in the 19th century when many households relied on them to take care of their laundry needs. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution and technological advancements, such as the invention of the washing machine, the need for washerwomen diminished. Despite this, the term remains in the lexicon mostly in historical contexts, reflecting a bygone era of labor and societal structure.