noun
dear wife; beloved wife
A warm, somewhat old-fashioned term for one's own wife, emphasizing affection and devotion. Often used in historical or literary contexts.
彼は恋女房に先立たれてから、すっかり元気をなくしてしまった。
After his dear wife passed away before him, he completely lost his spirit.
Compound of 恋 (こい, 'love') and 女房 (にょうぼう, 'wife'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term likely emerged in the Edo period or earlier to express a husband's deep affection for his wife.