Wāive1, n.
n. [See WAIF, and cf. infra.] A woman put out of the protection of the law.
2 entries under this word
n. [See WAIF, and cf. infra.] A woman put out of the protection of the law.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. WAIVED; p. pr. & vb. n. WAIVING.] [Written also wave.] [See WAVE.] 1. To relinquish; to give up claim to; not to insist on or claim; to refuse; to forego. We absolutely do renounce or waive our own opinions, absolutely yielding to the direction of others. Barrow.
☞ The term was applied to a woman, in the same sense as outlaw to a man. A woman could not be outlawed, in the proper sense of the word, because, according to Bracton, she was never in law, that is, in a frank-pledge or decemary; but she might be waived, and held as abandoned. Burrill.