The word "quiverful" has an interesting spelling that can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The word is pronounced /ˈkwɪvərfʊl/, with the stress on the second syllable. The spelling of the word is derived from the word "quiver", which is a container for holding arrows. The suffix "ful" is added to indicate that the container is full, hence "quiverful" means a container that is full of arrows. The word is often used metaphorically to refer to a large group of children or offspring that a person may have.
A quiverful refers to a group or family that consists of an exceptionally large number of children, typically born to the same parents. The term is primarily associated with religious or cultural movements which encourage prolific reproduction or reject contraception. It is derived from the noun "quiver," meaning a container used for holding arrows, the symbolism suggesting that children are seen as numerous arrows in the quiver of their parents.
This concept gained prominence within certain conservative Christian communities that adhere to a literal interpretation of biblical teachings on procreation and the suppression of birth control methods. Quiverful families often believe that it is their divine duty to have as many children as possible, aligning their convictions with biblical passages that stress the importance of procreation and raising godly offspring.
The size of a quiverful family can vary significantly, with some households consisting of ten, twelve, or even more children. Such families tend to prioritize traditional gender roles, as encouraged by their religious beliefs, with the father as the primary breadwinner and the mother dedicating her time to child-rearing and homemaking. Quiverful families also tend to embrace homeschooling and an insular social life within their religious communities.
However, it is essential to note that the term "quiverful" is not limited to any specific religious or cultural group, but rather describes the ideology or lifestyle choice of families who willingly choose to have a substantial number of children, irrespective of their faith or background.
The word "quiverful" is a combination of two words: "quiver" and "ful".
The term "quiver" originally referred to a case or container used to hold arrows. It comes from the Middle English word "quyver", which in turn came from the Old French word "quivre" or "cuivre". These Old French words were derived from the Latin word "corpus", meaning "body". The connection between "corpus" and "quiver" likely originated from the shape of a quiver resembling the human body and being worn on the back.
The suffix "ful" is a common Old English suffix that means "full of" or "having a lot of". It has been used to form numerous nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.