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What term describes an unmarried woman in legal context?

  1. Femme Sole

  2. Single Femme

  3. Divorced Individual

  4. Spinster

The correct answer is: Femme Sole

The term "Femme Sole" refers to an unmarried woman in legal contexts, particularly in historical legal frameworks. This designation has its roots in Common Law, where "femme sole" was used to distinguish a woman who was not married and thus retained her legal identity and capacity to contract independently. The term recognizes that an unmarried woman has the ability to manage her own affairs, enter into contracts, and own property without requiring her husband's consent, which would have been the case for a married woman under the same legal framework. The other terms present do not carry the same legal connotations as "femme sole." "Single Femme" may colloquially describe an unmarried woman but lacks the legal recognition and historical significance. "Divorced Individual" specifically refers to someone who was previously married but no longer is, which does not apply to those who have never been married. The term "spinster" also historically referred to an unmarried woman, but it is often viewed as pejorative or outdated in modern usage and lacks the formal legal implications of "femme sole." Thus, "femme sole" is the most accurate and contextually appropriate term in the legal setting.