grass widow

Grass perhaps relates to casual bedding.[1] Compare Dutch grasweduwe, Swedish gräsänka, German Strohwitwe.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɡɹɑːs ˌwɪdəʊ/

grass widow (plural grass widows)

1. An unmarried woman who has lived with several different men; a former mistress. [from 16th c.]
2. A married woman whose spouse is away. [from 19th c.]
   • 1974, GB Edwards, The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, New York 2007, p. 226:

     I was disappointed when it was her who opened the door and said, ‘Ah, I had a feeling you were thinking about me! Come in, come in, do! I am a grass widow.’

• grass widowhood
• grass widower

• W. Martin; G[uy] A. J. Tops, et al. (1998) Van Dale Groot Woordenboek Engels–Nederlands [Van Dale Great Dictionary, English–Dutch], volume I, 3rd edition, Utrecht; Antwerp: Van Dale Lexicografie, →ISBN.