Womanhood
/ˈwʊmənhʊd/noun
The state or condition of being a woman.
Did you know?The ending -hood is the same ancient Germanic suffix found in words like childhood and priesthood, originally marking a state or rank rather than anything mystical.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
wīfmannhād
“the state or condition of being a woman”
Middle English
ME
womanhede
“womanhood; the condition or quality of being a woman”
14th Century
English
womanhood
“the state or quality of being a woman”
Modern English
English
womanhood
“the state or condition of being a woman”
Explore more surprising origins