mistress; kept woman; concubine
Dated term for a woman in a long-term extramarital relationship with a man who supports her financially; similar to 妾 (めかけ).
See also: 妾 (めかけ)
close female servant
Archaic original meaning; a female attendant or personal maid in a noble household.
He seems to be keeping a mistress.
In Heian-period noble residences, several close female servants attended.
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 側女, 側妻, and 妻 are rare and may be confusing.
Rare kanji spelling; literally 'side woman'.
Rare kanji spelling; literally 'side wife'.
Rare kanji spelling; normally read つま, so this reading is highly context-dependent.
Compound of そば (side, nearby) and め (woman). The original meaning was a female attendant who served closely, later shifting to the sense of a mistress.