late 17th cent. (as helpmeet): from an erroneous reading of Gen. 2:18, 20, where Adam's future wife is described as ‘an help meet for him’ (i.e. a suitable helper for him). The variant helpmate came into use in the early 18th cent
Determined to ride the fore-horse herself, Meg would admit no helpmate…and so, in single blessedness and with the despotism of Queen Bess herself, she ruled all matters with a high hand. 梅格决定大权独揽，她不想出嫁……因此，她过着独身生活，并且用伊丽莎白女王的专制统治，用高压手段统治一切。
