lady

noun pl. ladies -·dies

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. 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. the Virgin Mary: usually with Our
10. Informal a mistress (sense ) or girlfriend (sense ), esp. one who is cohabiting

Etymology: ME lavedi < OE hlæfdige, lady, mistress < hlaf, loaf + -dige < dæge, (bread) kneader < IE base *dheih-: see dough

adjective