Dame (dām), n. [F. dame, LL. domna, fr. L. domina mistress, lady, fem. of dominus master, ruler, lord; akin to domare to tame, subdue. See Tame, and cf. Dam a mother, Dan, Danger, Dungeon, Dominie, Don, n., Duenna.]
1. A mistress of a family, who is a lady; a woman in authority; especially, a lady.
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Then shall these lords do vex me half so much,
As that proud dame, the lord protector's wife. Shak.
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2. The mistress of a family in common life, or the mistress of a common school; as, “a dame's school”.
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In the dame's classes at the village school. Emerson.
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3. A woman in general, esp. an elderly woman.
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4. A mother; -- applied to human beings and quadrupeds. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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