helpmeet

Definition

A helpful partner, particularly a spouse.

Etymology

Univerbation of part of a phrase in Genesis 2:18 in the King James Version: “an helpe meet” for Adam (i.e. a helper suitable for him) (help + meet).

Example Sentences

• "[on vocabulary errors] … and helpmates for meet-helps—the difference of the meaning of the two words is so obvious, that it is surprising it should have escaped attention.—A person may be a helpmate and at the same time be very far from being a help-meet, which is here intended."
• "When he went to Deborah and told her that the Lord had led him to ask her to be his wife, his holy helpmeet, she looked at him for a moment in what seemed to be speechless terror."