lady
la-dy · noun
Definitions
noun
- 1.
A polite or formal way of referring to a woman.
- 2.
A woman of superior social position or of good breeding and manners.
- 3.
**(Lady)** A title used by peeresses, female relatives of peers, and the wives and widows of knights.
- 4.
[informal]A man's wife or girlfriend.
- 5.
Used as a form of address to a woman.
Forms
plural: ladies
Phrases & expressions
- •ladies first — Women should be given priority (in courtesy).
- •lady luck — Fortune personified as a woman.
- •first lady — The wife of a president or other leader.
- •ladies' man — A man who enjoys the company of women.
- •old lady — One's mother or wife (informal).
- •ladies' room — A women's restroom.
Related words
Etymology
From Old English hlæfdige ("mistress of a household"), from hlāf ("bread, loaf") + dīge ("kneader"), related to dæge ("maker of dough"). The original meaning was "one who kneads bread" or "bread-giver," reflecting the lady's role in managing the household.