'wife' originally was happy to mean 'woman' or wife', though so long ago as to be scarce worth mentioning, except that it reminded me of the story of Cynewulf and Cyneheard, in which Cynewulf, having been deprived of his kingdon 'for unright deeds', is surprised at Merton, whither he has been engaged in 'wifcyþþing'; 'þone cyning lytle werode on wifcyþþe on Merantune' - 'the king was in Merton, having womansex, with inadequate protection...'