lady

lady [lād′ē]

n.

pl. ladies [ME lavedi < OE hlæfdige, lady, mistress < hlaf, LOAF¹ + -dige < dæge, (bread) kneader < IE base * dheig̑h-: see DOUGH]

1. the mistress of a household: now obsolete except in the phrase the lady of the house

2. a woman who has the rights, rule, or authority of a lord

3. a woman of high social position

4. a woman who is polite, refined, and well-mannered

5. any woman: a polite term, esp. as (in pl.) a form of address

6. Old-fashioned a woman with reference to the man who is her devoted attendant, lover, etc.

7. [L-] in Great Britain, the title of respect given to a marchioness, countess, viscountess, or baroness; to the daughter of a duke, marquis, or earl; or to the wife of a baronet, knight, or holder of the courtesy title Lord

8. this title as a form of address for a woman holding the title Lady, now used only by servants, salespeople, etc.: preceded by My

9. [L-] the Virgin Mary: usually with Our

10. Informal a MISTRESS (sense 4) or GIRLFRIEND (sense 1), esp. one who is cohabiting

adj.

Informal female [a lady barber]

SYN.- WOMAN