helpmate

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: help=mate

CIDE DICTIONARY

helpmate, n. [A corruption of the “help meet for him” of Genesis ii. 18.Fitzedward Hall.].

 A helper; a companion; specifically, a wife.  [1913 Webster]
"In Minorca the ass and the hog are common helpmates, and are yoked together in order to turn up the land."  [1913 Webster]
"A waiting woman was generally considered as the most suitable helpmate for a parson."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

helpmate, n. a helpful companion or partner (usu. a husband or wife).

DEVIL DICTIONARY

helpmate

n. A wife, or bitter half.

"Now, why is yer wife called a helpmate, Pat?"
Says the priest. "Since the time 'o yer wooin'
She's niver [sic] assisted in what ye were at --
For it's naught ye are ever doin'."

"That's true of yer Riverence [sic]," Patrick replies,
And no sign of contrition envices;
"But, bedad, it's a fact which the word implies,
For she helps to mate the expinses [sic]!"
Marley Wottel

THESAURUS

helpmate

acolyte, adjutant, agent, aid, aide, aide-de-camp, aider, assistant, attendant, auxiliary, best man, better half, coadjutant, coadjutor, coadjutress, coadjutrix, common-law wife, concubine, deputy, executive officer, feme, feme covert, goodwife, goody, help, helper, helpmeet, lady, lieutenant, married woman, matron, old lady, old woman, paranymph, paraprofessional, rib, second, servant, sideman, squaw, supporting actor, supporting instrumentalist, wedded wife, wife, woman

ROGET THESAURUS

helpmate

Marriage

N marriage, matrimony, wedlock, union, intermarriage, miscegenation, the bonds of marriage, vinculum matrimonii, nuptial tie, married state, coverture, bed, cohabitation, match, betrothment, wedding, nuptials, Hymen, bridal, espousals, spousals, leading to the altar, nuptial benediction, epithalamium, sealing, torch of Hymen, temple of Hymen, hymeneal altar, honeymoon, bridesmaid, bridesman, best man, bride, bridegroom, married man, married woman, married couple, neogamist, Benedict, partner, spouse, mate, yokemate, husband, man, consort, baron, old man, good man, wife of one's bosom, helpmate, rib, better half, gray mare, old woman, old lady, good wife, goodwife, feme, feme coverte, squaw, lady, matron, matronage, matronhood, man and wife, wedded pair, Darby and Joan, spiritual wife, monogamy, bigamy, digamy, deuterogamy, trigamy, polygamy, mormonism, levirate, spiritual wifery, spiritual wifeism, polyandrism, Turk, bluebeard, unlawful marriage, left-handed marriage, morganatic marriage, ill- assorted marriage, mesalliance, mariage de convenance, marriage broker, matrimonial agency, matrimonial agent, matrimonial bureau, matchmaker, schatchen, married, one, one bone and one flesh, marriageable, nubile, engaged, betrothed, affianced, matrimonial, marital, conjugal, connubial, wedded, nuptial, hymeneal, spousal, bridal, the gray mare the better horse, a world-without-end bargain, marriages are made in Heaven, render me worthy of this noble wife, si qua voles apte nubere nube pari.