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lady
The definition of a lady is a term used for a woman.
(noun)- An example of a lady is a woman.
- A noble or gentile woman in the king's court is an example of a lady.
- When someone at a gas station wants to rudely get your attention, this is an example of a situation where he might say "hey lady!"
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See lady in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun pl. ladies
- the mistress of a household: now obsolete except in the phrase
- a woman who has the rights, rule, or authority of a lord
- a woman of high social position
- a woman who is polite, refined, and well-mannered
- any woman: a polite term, esp. as (in pl.) a form of address
- Old-fashioned a woman with reference to the man who is her devoted attendant, lover, etc.
- 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
- this title as a form of address for a woman holding the title Lady, now used only by servants, salespeople, etc.: preceded by My
- the Virgin Mary: usually with Our
- Informal a mistress (sense ) or girlfriend (sense ), esp. one who is cohabiting
Origin: ME lavedi < OE hlæfdige, lady, mistress < hlaf, loaf + -dige < dæge, (bread) kneader < IE base *dheih-: see dough
adjective
Informal female: a lady barber
See lady in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun pl. la·dies
- A well-mannered and considerate woman with high standards of proper behavior.
- a. A woman regarded as proper and virtuous.b. A well-behaved young girl.
- A woman who is the head of a household.
- A woman, especially when spoken of or to in a polite way.
- a. A woman to whom a man is romantically attached.b. Informal A wife.
- Lady Chiefly British A general feminine title of nobility and other rank, specifically:a. Used as the title for the wife or widow of a knight or baronet.b. Used as a form of address for a marchioness, countess, viscountess, baroness, or baronetess.c. Used as a form of address for the wife or widow of a baron.d. Used as a courtesy title for the daughter of a duke, a marquis, or an earl.e. Used as a courtesy title for the wife of a younger son of a duke or marquis.
- Lady The Virgin Mary. Usually used with Our.
- Slang Cocaine.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English, mistress of a household
Origin: , from Old English hlǣfdige; see dheigh- in Indo-European roots
. Usage Note: Lady is normally used as a parallel to gentleman to emphasize norms expected in polite society or in situations requiring courtesies: Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. I believe the lady in front of the counter was here before me. The attributive use of lady, as in lady doctor, is offensive and outdated. When the sex of the person is relevant, the preferred modifier is woman or female. Twice as many members of the Usage Panel in our 1994 survey preferred female and male to woman and man as modifiers in the sentence President Clinton interviewed both and candidates for the position of Attorney General.Learn more about lady
