The spelling of the phrase "feme covert" can be puzzling for English learners. It is pronounced /fɛm ˈkʌvərt/, which is "fem" with a short e sound, "kuh-vuhrt" with a short u sound, and stress on the second syllable. This term refers to a married woman who is legally under the control of her husband. The word "feme" comes from Old French and "covert" from Middle English, making it an archaic term that is rarely used in modern English.
Feme covert is a legal term that refers to a married woman under coverture laws. In a historical context, coverture was a legal doctrine that defined the legal status of a married woman. Under coverture, a woman's legal rights and obligations were subsumed by her husband upon marriage.
The term "feme covert" comes from the Latin words "feme" meaning "woman" and "covert" meaning "covered" or "hidden." It signifies the married woman's legal status of being covered or hidden under the legal identity of her husband. Essentially, feme covert represented the concept that a woman's legal existence was absorbed or concealed within her husband's legal sphere.
In practical terms, being a feme covert meant that a married woman's legal rights and responsibilities were limited. She could not own property in her own name, enter into contracts, file lawsuits, or possess any independent legal standing. Instead, her husband had complete authority to manage the couple's joint property and make legal decisions on behalf of both spouses.
The concept of feme covert has largely been abolished in modern legal systems, as it perpetuated gender inequality and undermined women's autonomy. However, an understanding of this historical term is crucial for comprehending the legal status of married women in specific jurisdictions during certain periods.
The word "feme covert" originates from Middle English and is derived from two separate words: "feme" and "covert".
1. "Feme" comes from the Anglo-Norman French word "feme", meaning "wife" or "woman". This, in turn, is derived from the Latin word "fēmina", which also means "woman".
2. "Covert" is derived from the Old French word "covert", meaning "covered" or "protected". This word comes from the Latin word "cooperīre", which is a combination of "co-" (meaning "together" or "completely") and "operīre" (meaning "to cover").
In combination, "feme covert" literally means a "covered woman" or a "protected wife".