also: せんぷ
previous wife; late wife
Refers to a man's former wife, either divorced or deceased. The context determines whether it means 'ex-wife' or 'deceased wife'.
His previous wife passed away three years ago.
He has one child with his former wife.
Standard kanji form for 'previous wife'.
Alternate kanji form with the same meaning; reading せんぷ is less common.
Compound of 前 (previous) or 先 (previous) and 婦 (wife). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji directly convey the meaning.