ˈtradesˌwoman
Pl. -women.
[f. as prec. + woman.]
A woman engaged in trade, or in a particular trade or calling; in quots. 1707, 1778, the wife of a tradesman.
| 1707 Reflex. upon Ridicule ii. 212 New-vamped Trades⁓women, whose Dress and Train, and Furniture and Table, create Envy. 1778 Johnson 13 May, in Boswell, Trades⁓women (I mean the wives of tradesmen) in the city. 1889 Sat. Rev. 23 Feb. 218/1 The gentle lady must be put off, and the shrewd and thrifty tradeswoman must be put on. |