noun
Archaic term for a man's first or legally recognized wife, as opposed to a concubine or later spouse. Not used in modern everyday speech; encountered mainly in historical or literary contexts.
古文書には、前妻との間に生まれた子についての記述がある。
In the old document, there is a description of a child born to his first wife.
Also means 'former wife' or 'first wife', but is more common in modern Japanese and can refer to a previous wife in the context of remarriage, without the archaic or legal nuance of 前妻.
Means 'legal wife' or 'principal wife', often contrasted with a mistress or concubine. More common than 前妻 but still somewhat formal or literary.
The reading こなみ is an older native Japanese reading (kun'yomi) of the kanji 前 (before) and 妻 (wife). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term has been used since classical times to denote a man's first or principal wife.