husband
UK[ˈhʌzbənd]US[ˈhʌzbənd]
n
a married man; a man in relation to his spouse.
v
to use something carefully and without waste; to manage resources prudently.
Etymology
The word 'husband' has a rich history rooted in domestic management. It entered English from Old Norse 'húsbóndi', literally meaning "house-dweller" or "master of a house." This Norse term combined 'hús' (house) and 'bóndi' (a freeholder or peasant who owned his home and land). Over time in English, the meaning narrowed from a general "male head of a household" to specifically "a married man." The verb sense, meaning to manage resources thriftily, developed directly from the original concept of a 'húsbóndi' responsibly stewarding his household's assets.
Analysis
The word is a simplex. It originates from the Old English 'hūsbonda', which itself came from Old Norse 'húsbóndi'. The Old Norse term is a compound of 'hús' (house) and 'bóndi' (dweller, householder, one who has a household).
Examples
Her husband is a teacher at the local school.
It is important to husband our natural resources for future generations.
They have been husband and wife for over twenty years.