The Original Name of Wife
My wife (husband) – a woman in relation to equality, held her in marriage, that is, to her husband. A married woman – being married (the husband, that is behind her husband), under the protection of men.
The origin of the concept
Originally, the word “wife” meant the same thing now does the word “woman”. Evidence of this can be found in many Slavic texts. When the man spoke of his wife, he used the expression “my wife”, ie “My woman”.
Description
In common parlance and terminology used an incorrect notion of common-law wife – the woman in relation to the man with whom she lives, jointly runs the house and / or raise children, but that is not formally registered their relationship with him by marriage.
Such a relationship (unregistered marriage) in life are often called “civil marriage”. However, such usage of terminology in terms of error, because the family law formerly known as civil marriage, a prisoner in the secular authorities (as opposed to religious marriage, a prisoner in the church). Contemporary Russian Family Code does not contain such a term.
In some countries, such as Canada, Spain, Belgium, South Africa and Sweden, the law also recognizes same-sex marriages. In these countries, the term “wife” can be used in relation to each of the spouses.
Source: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%96%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B0
See Also: idul fitri, hamper hari raya, hari raya hampers