Husband

I.e., the “house-band,” connecting and keeping together the whole family. A man when betrothed was esteemed from that time a husband (Matt. 1:16, 20; Luke 2:5). A recently married man was exempt from going to war for “one year” (Deut. 20:7; 24:5).

[Marriage]

HUS'BAND, a man lawfully joined to one woman in marriage, Gen 3:16, the house-band. A man betrothed, but not married, was called a husband, as the betrothals were considered sacred and inviolable. Matt 1:16. The husband is the head of the wife, Eph 5:23, inasmuch as he is the head of the household (though she is associated with him), and as such he is entitled to the respect and aflfection of all. See Marriage.

HUS'BAND, a man lawfully joined to one woman in marriage, Gen 3:16, the house-band. A man betrothed, but not married, was called a husband, as the betrothals were considered sacred and inviolable. Matt 1:16. The husband is the head of the wife, Eph 5:23, inasmuch as he is the head of the household (though she is associated with him), and as such he is entitled to the respect and aflfection of all. See Marriage.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. The male head of a household; one who orders the economy of a family. [Obs.]

2. A cultivator; a tiller; a husbandman. [Obs.] Shak. The painful husband, plowing up his ground. Hakewill. He is the neatest husband for curious ordering his domestic and field accommodations. Evelyn.

3. One who manages or directs with prudence and economy; a frugal person; an economist. [R.] God knows how little time is left me, and may I be a good husband, to improve the short remnant left me. Fuller.

4. A married man; a man who has a wife; -- the correlative to wife. The husband and wife are one person in law. Blackstone.

5. The male of a pair of animals. [R.] Dryden. A ship's husband (Naut.), an agent representing the owners of a ship, who manages its expenses and receipts.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To direct and manage with frugality; to use or employ to good purpose and the best advantage; to spend, apply, or use, with economy. For my means, I'll husband them so well, They shall go far. Shak.

2. To cultivate, as land; to till. [R.] Land so trim and rarely husbanded. Evelyn.

3. To furnish with a husband. [R.] Shak.