01 n. A woman who looks after the domestic affairs of a family; a mistress; the female head of a household.
pl.
Ladies ((lā"dĭz))
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1.
A woman who looks after the domestic affairs of a family; a mistress; the female head of a household.“Agar, the handmaiden of Sara, whence comest thou, and whither goest thou? The which answered, Fro the face of Sara my lady.” — Wyclif (Gen. xvi. 8.).
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2.
A woman having proprietary rights or authority; mistress; -- a feminine correlative of lord.“Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, . . . We make thee lady.” — Shak.
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3.
A woman to whom the particular homage of a knight was paid; a woman to whom one is devoted or bound; a sweetheart.“The soldier here his wasted store supplies, And takes new valor from his lady's eyes.” — Waller.
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4.
A woman of social distinction or position. In England, a title prefixed to the name of any woman whose husband is not of lower rank than a baron, or whose father was a nobleman not lower than an earl. The wife of a baronet or knight has the title of Lady by courtesy, but not by right.
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5.
A woman of refined or gentle manners; a well-bred woman; -- the feminine correlative of gentleman.
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6.
A wife; -- not now in approved usage.
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7.
Any woman; as, a lounge for ladies; a cleaning lady; also used in combination; as, saleslady.
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8.
The triturating apparatus in the stomach of a lobster; -- so called from a fancied resemblance to a seated female figure. It consists of calcareous plates.(Zool.)
Phrases & compounds
Ladies' man —
a man who affects the society of ladies.
Lady altar —
an altar in a lady chapel.
Lady chapel —
a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Lady court —
the court of a lady of the manor.
Lady crab —
a handsomely spotted swimming crab (Platyonichus ocellatus) very common on the sandy shores of the Atlantic coast of the United States.
Lady in waiting —
a lady of the queen's household, appointed to wait upon or attend the queen.
Lady Mass —
a Mass said in honor of the Virgin Mary.
Lady of the manor —
a lady having jurisdiction of a manor; also, the wife of a manor lord.
Lady's maid —
a maidservant who dresses and waits upon a lady.
Our Lady —
the Virgin Mary.