Definitions

1. noun

A woman who is bound to another person, usually by marriage, often in a historical context, particularly referring to the practice of being bound to a husband.

“The historian studied the lives of bondswomen in medieval Europe.”

2. noun

A woman whose labor or services are bound to another person or estate, often in exchange for shelter or protection.

“The bondswoman worked long hours to repay her debt to the landowner.”