GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Lady (lāˈdy̆), n.; pl. Ladies (lāˈdĭz). [OE. ladi, læfdi, AS. hlǣfdige, hlǣfdie; AS. hlāf loaf + a root of uncertain origin, possibly akin to E. dairy. See Loaf, and cf. Lord.]
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   1. A woman who looks after the domestic affairs of a family; a mistress; the female head of a household.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   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.).
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   2. A woman having proprietary rights or authority; mistress; -- a feminine correlative of lord. “Lord or lady of high degree.”  Lowell.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, . . .
   
   We make thee lady. Shak.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   3. A woman to whom the particular homage of a knight was paid; a woman to whom one is devoted or bound; a sweetheart.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   The soldier here his wasted store supplies,
   
   And takes new valor from his lady's eyes. Waller.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   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.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   5. A woman of refined or gentle manners; a well-bred woman; -- the feminine correlative of gentleman.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   6. A wife; -- not now in approved usage.  Goldsmith.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   7. Hence: Any woman; as, “a lounge for ladies; a cleaning lady”; also used in combination; as, “saleslady”.
   
   [PJC]
   
   
   8. (Zool.) 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.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   Ladies' man, a man who affects the society of ladies. -- Lady altar, an altar in a lady chapel. Shipley. -- Lady chapel, a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. -- Lady court, the court of a lady of the manor. -- Lady crab (Zool.), a handsomely spotted swimming crab (Platyonichus ocellatus) very common on the sandy shores of the Atlantic coast of the United States. -- Lady fern. (Bot.) See Female fern, under Female, and Illust. of Fern. -- 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. Shipley. 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. Thackeray. -- Our Lady, the Virgin Mary.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
         
       

2.       
   Lady, a. Belonging or becoming to a lady; ladylike.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   “Some lady trifles.” Shak.
   
   [1913 Webster]