widow一词用来指失去妻子的丈夫（鳏夫）也是一种古老的用法。 根据第二版牛津英语辞典，可追溯到公元1000年，虽然这一用法现在已不普遍。

• Use of widow to refer to a husband who has lost his wife is also an ancient usage, dating back to c. 1000 according to the OED2, although it is not common usage today.