Word of the Day, February 23: ‘Uxorious’

Word of the day: UXORIOUS

Pronunciation: ux·o·ri·ous UK/ʌkˈsɔː.ri.əs/  and  US/ʌkˈsɔːr.i.əs/

Meaning:
'Uxorious' means excessively fond of, devoted to, or obedient to one’s wife—sometimes to a degree seen as unreasonable or comical.

Origin and History:

'Uxorious' (adjective, /ʌkˈsɔː.ri.əs/) describes a man who is excessively fond of, doting upon, or submissively devoted to his wife. Often carrying a negative or formal connotation, it implies a man who is overly dependent on or allows his wife to control him. It stems from the Latin uxor (wife)

'Uxorious' entered the English language in the early 17th century, originally used in a neutral or descriptive sense to indicate a husband’s devotion.

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Cultural significance and modern usage:

Historically, "uxorious" was used to critique men who prioritised their wives' wishes over public duties, rationality, or traditional patriarchal roles. It was frequently used by literary figures like Shakespeare and Milton to imply a weakness in character—a man "under his wife's thumb".

Shifting Gender Roles: The term highlights traditional gender norms, where a man's worth was defined by public action, and a man devoted to private life was viewed as "soft" or "weak". In contrast, in some cultures, high devotion to a wife has been viewed more positively or honourably.

While still often implying a, perhaps slightly comic, level of submissiveness or excessive devotion, the term is increasingly regarded as old-fashioned. In modern contexts, it may be used to describe a loving, attentive, and highly supportive husband.

It remains a formal, literary, or "intellectual" word often used to describe characters who are "doting" or "tender" in a way that risks losing their independence.

Interesting facts:

• There is no equally common word to 'Uxorious' for a woman excessively devoted to her husband
• In some texts, an uxorious man is portrayed as someone seeking emotional security or approval, rather than simply being affectionate.
• During the Victorian era, uxorious behaviour was sometimes viewed as a moral flaw, suggesting weakness or loss of authority

Examples from literature:

• He felt a flush of achievement at how easily fiancée had slipped out of him, a sign of future uxorious bliss.- Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• There never were such uxorious chaps in this world, I do believe.- From Veldt Camp Fires by H.
• They write down in red ink on the back of the Peray, or wooden seat on which the bride is to sit, the names of twenty-one uxorious husbands and go round the bride seven times.- The Hindoos as They Are by Sivachandra Vasu

Synonyms

• Devoted
• Fond
• Loving
• Affectionate
• Amorous

Antonyms

• Dominating
• Domineering
• Aggressive
• Assertive
• Forceful

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