a. [f. L. ūxōri-us UXORIOUS a. + -AL.]

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  1.  Of or pertaining to a wife or wives.

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1800.  A. Geddes, Crit. Rem. Script., 172. The speech [of Zipporah (Exodus iv. 25] is not a speech of reproach or indignation, but of uxorial endearment.

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1837.  Bp. Wilberforce, Lett., in Ashwell, Life (1880), I. 105. All your uxorial connections living in the neighbourhood.

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1853.  Lytton, My Novel, IV. i. The beauty of wives—the uxorial beauty.

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1896.  Parl. Papers, Turkey, No. 3 (1897), CI. 23. The rather generous uxorial laws of Islam.

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  2.  = UXORIOUS a. 2.

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1853.  Lytton, My Novel, VIII. xii. Riccabocca … melted into absolute uxorial imbecility at the sight of that mute distress.

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1872.  F. W. Robinson, Bridge of Glass, II. xx. ‘Waiting for your wife!’ exclaimed Lady Coedstown. ‘Uxorial, is it not?’ he asked.

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  Hence Uxoriality, the condition of being a wife; wifehood. rare.

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a. 1832.  Bentham, Deontol. (1834), I. 235. Maritality, uxoriality, paternity, maternity, filiality.

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1936.  A. W. Slaten, in Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 5 May, 6/5. In a time … when triumphant feminism meets only timid uxoriality.

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