old wife

old wife (plural old wives)

1. An old woman, later especially one who tells old wives' tales. [from 9th c.]
2. Any of various marine fishes [from 16th c.]:
   1. the alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus}
   2. A species of perciform fish endemic to the temperate coastal waters of Australia (Enoplosus armatus)
   3. Balistes vetula (Queen triggerfish)
   4. Certain spot-tail porgies (Diplodus ascensionis, Diplodus helenae)
   5. Spondyliosoma cantharus (black seabream)
   6. Trachinotus goodei (great pompano)
   7. A wrasse
3. (Canada, US, now rare) The long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis. [from 17th c.]
   • 1634, William Wood, New Englands Prospect, I:

     The Oldwives, be a foule that never leave tatling day or night, ſomething bigger than a Ducke.

4. (Scotland) A chimney cap to prevent smoking. [from 19th c.]

• old wives' tale

• old wife on Wikipedia.Wikipedia