wife-in-law

Meaning

Noun

• A wife in law only, such as one who has abandoned her husband
• A wife who provides domestic or social support, but not love or affection
• Another wife of one's husband. Typically used in cases of divorce and subsequent remarriage for one's husband's ex-wife, but sometimes used in polygamy for a co-wife.

Related

Similar words

• co-wife
• sister-wife

Origin

• From wife + -in-law.