Definition of "spinster"

spinster

/ˈspɪnstə/

noun
plural spinsters
1. (sometimes derogatory) A woman who has never been married, especially one past the typical marrying age according to social traditions.
  Quotations
  If […] a woman be named spinster, she may abate […] the same [writ].
  1628–1644, Edw[ard] Coke, (please specify |part=1 to 4), London
2. One who spins (puts a spin on) a political media story so as to give something a favorable or advantageous appearance; a spin doctor, spin merchant or spinmeister.
3. (obsolete) Someone whose occupation was spinning thread.
  Quotations
  The spinsters and the knitters in the sun.
  c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene iv]
4. (obsolete) A woman of evil life and character; so called from being forced to spin in a house of correction.
5. (rare, dialectal) A spider; an insect (such as a silkworm) which spins thread.