feme sole
C2Formal, Archaic, Legal
Definition
Meaning
A historical legal term for an unmarried woman, a widow, or a woman who conducts business independently of a husband.
In modern usage, it can refer to a woman who is independent, self-sufficient, and legally and financially autonomous, though this usage is archaic and primarily historical.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is archaic and found almost exclusively in historical legal contexts. It is a fixed phrase from Anglo-Norman French. Its opposite is 'feme covert' (a married woman under coverture). Modern synonyms like 'single woman' or 'independent woman' lack the specific legal-historical connotations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally archaic and historical in both varieties. It is a term of Anglo-Norman legal origin, so it is part of the shared historical legal lexicon of both the UK and the US.
Connotations
Connotes historical legal status and archaic formality. No significant difference between BrE and AmE.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use outside of historical, legal, or academic discussions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be/act as] + a feme soleVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. It is itself a fixed legal idiom.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, legal, gender, and social history studies to describe women's legal status prior to modern reforms.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Used as a precise historical legal term in law and history texts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The court recognised her feme sole status, granting her the right to hold property.
American English
- She operated under feme sole trader laws in the colonial era.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In the 18th century, a widow could become a feme sole and manage her own affairs.
- The legal doctrine of coverture meant a married woman was not a feme sole.
- The historical treatise contrasted the property rights of a feme sole with those of a feme covert.
- As a feme sole, she was entitled to sue and be sued in her own name, a right denied to married women at the time.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'FEMale SOLEly responsible' – a woman solely responsible for herself in law.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEGAL AUTONOMY IS SEPARATENESS (from a husband).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as просто 'одинокая женщина' (lonely woman). It is a legal status, not an emotional state.
- It is not equivalent to 'старая дева' (old maid/spinster), which has negative connotations. 'Feme sole' is neutral and legal.
- Do not confuse with modern business terms like 'предприниматель' (entrepreneur). While a feme sole could run a business, the term specifies her marital/legal status, not her occupation.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'femme sole' (incorrect, from modern French 'femme').
- Using it in contemporary contexts.
- Assuming it means a 'feminist' or 'career woman'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the term 'feme sole'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic historical legal term. Modern equivalents are 'single woman' or 'unmarried woman', but these lack the specific legal connotations.
Historically, no. Under the doctrine of coverture, a married woman (feme covert) was legally merged with her husband. A feme sole was specifically unmarried, widowed, or legally separated.
It is pronounced /ˌfem ˈsoʊl/ in American English and /ˌfem ˈsəʊl/ in British English. 'Feme' rhymes with 'them', not 'femme'.
The direct opposite is 'feme covert', the legal term for a married woman whose legal identity was 'covered' by her husband.