lady en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈleɪ.di/ (General-American)
- /ˈlæɪ.di/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
- /ˈle.de/ (Scotland)
- /-dɪ/ (Scotland)
- (US) audio
- /ˈleɪ.di/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- [ˈlæɪ.ɾi] (Australia, New-Zealand)
- /-di/ (Scotland)
- [ˈleɪ.ɾi] (General-American)
- /ˈleːdi/ (Wales) without the pane–pain merger
- /ˈlɛj.dɪj/ (British, Southern, Standard)
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *kʷel-der.? Proto-Germanic *hlaibaz Proto-West Germanic *hlaib Old English hlāf Proto-Indo-European *dʰeyǵʰ-der. Proto-Germanic *daigijǭder. Old English dǣġe Old English hlǣfdīġe Middle English lady English lady From Middle English lady, laddy, lafdi, lavedi, from Old English hlǣfdīġe (“mistress of a household, wife of a lord, lady”, literally “bread-kneader”), from hlāf (“bread, loaf”) + dǣġe (“kneader”), related to Old English dǣġe (“maker of dough”) (whence dey (“dairymaid”)). Compare also lord. More at loaf, dairy, dough. Unrelated to lad.
Meanings
- (historical) The mistress of a household.
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A woman of breeding or higher class, a woman of authority.
"I would like the dining room to be fully set by tonight; would you do so?" "Yes, my lady."
‘[…] I remember a lady coming to inspect St. Mary's Home where I was brought up and seeing us all in our lovely Elizabethan uniforms we were so proud of, and bursting into tears all over us because “it was wicked to dress us like charity children”.[…]’.
1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 6, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
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The feminine of lord, a lordess.
’T was the proudest hall in the North Countree, And never its gates might opened be, Save to lord or lady of high decree[…]
1848, James Russell Lowell, The Vision of Sir Launfaul, 6th edition, Boston: Ticknor and Fields, published 1858:Of all theſe bounds euen from this Line, to this, / With ſhadowie Forreſts, and with Champains rich’d / With plenteous Riuers, and wide-ſkirted Meades / We make thee Lady.
c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i], page 283, column 2:
- A title for someone married to a lord or gentleman.
- A title that can be used instead of the formal terms of marchioness, countess, viscountess, or baroness.
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(polite, used by children) A woman: an adult female human.
In Leningrad I met a lady. She was sitting at the hard-currency bar of the Hotel Moscow, sipping gin.
1989 May, Priit J. Vesilind, “The Baltic: Arena of Power”, in National Geographic, volume 175, number 5, page 604:Please direct this lady to the soft furnishings department.
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(in-plural) A polite reference or form of address to women.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be here today. Follow me, ladies!
The Celebrity, by arts unknown, induced Mrs. Judge Short and two other ladies to call at Mohair on a certain afternoon when Mr. Cooke was trying a trotter on the track. The three returned wondering and charmed with Mrs. Cooke; they were sure she had had no hand in the furnishing of that atrocious house.
1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter IV, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC, page 58:
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(slang) Used to address a female.
Hey, lady, move your car!
Hey, ladies, how are you doing?
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(informal) A wife or girlfriend; a sweetheart.
It is my Lady, O it is my Loue, O that ſhe knew ſhe were, She ſpeakes, yet ſhe ſayes nothing, what of that?
c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii], page 59, column 2:But nothing could now exceed my confusion upon seeing the gentleman and his lady enter
1766, [Oliver Goldsmith], The Vicar of Wakefield: […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), Salisbury, Wiltshire: […] B. Collins, for F[rancis] Newbery, […], →OCLC:
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A woman to whom the particular homage of a knight was paid; a woman to whom one is devoted or bound.
The ſoldier here his waſted ſtore ſupplies, And takes new valor from the Ladies’ eyes.
1666, Edmund Waller, “Instructions to a Painter”, in The Works of Edmund Walker, Dublin: W. G. Jones, published 1768, page 154:
- (slang) A queen (the playing card).
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(attributive, with a professional title) A woman.
The recent disclosures caused one headmistress of a city college to arrange for sex instructions to be given by a lady doctor to various forms.
1964, James Holledge, Sex and the Australian Teenager, Melbounre: Horwitz Publications, page 15:A lady doctor.
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(alt-of, alternative) Alternative form of Lady.
alt of Lady
- (archaic) gastric mill, the triturating apparatus in the stomach of a lobster, consisting of calcareous plates; so called from a fancied resemblance to a seated female figure.
- (UK, slang) A five-pound note. (Rhyming slang, Lady Godiva for fiver.)
- (in-plural, slang) A woman’s breast.
- (rare, slang) A queen.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ladies | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
lady-boner · lady killer · white lady · lady's man · belady · lady-bug · lady of light virtue · ladies' companion · lady bug · cat lady · Lady Campbell · silver-lady · ladyporn · lollipop lady · painted lady · lady love · ladybeetle · one fat lady · ladyship · lady of the house · theydy · lunchlady · ladies' special · ladybug · Lady Day · lady friend · ladies and germs · lady-killing · no way to treat a lady · ladyslipper · Lady Lex · garbage lady · lunch lady · ladyclock · Pink Lady · gaydy · ladyfish · time lady · naked lady · dragon lady · lady abbess · ladiness · office lady · ladyish · it isn't over 'til the fat lady sings · lady or tiger · ladies' aid society · lady beetle · the First Lady · ladies' fever · lady in waiting · lady-killer · lady fern · gray lady · ladify · find the lady · lady bird · ladyling · White Ladies Aston · post lady · little lady · it isn't over until the fat lady sings · lady smock · ladies' tresses · American painted lady · follow the lady · giraffe lady · lady boy · pizza lady · tea lady · lady palm · young lady · dinner lady · ladies' man · Lady McLeod · ladies' auxiliary · ladystick · lady's bedstraw · ladyfolks · ladies man · lady-fern · lady parts · Lady Godiva · lunch-lady · ladies' eardrops · lady's mantle · m'lady · ladylove · lady chapel · ladystuff · gay lady · lady's finger · ladyboy · fat lady · the lady doth protest too much · lady fly · overlady · iron lady · Bankside lady · lady-in-waiting · leading lady · ladyless · May-lady · lady of leisure · warlady · ladylumps · two fat ladies · byrlady · Our Lady of the Seven Dolors · charlady · forelady · ragged lady · old lady · ladyparts · bug lady · ladyfolk · ladies' lounge · first lady · ladyhood · lords' and ladies' fingers · lords and ladies · shopping-bag lady · ladybits · lady of the night · lady's laces · Joan's as good as my lady in the dark · lady's slipper · English terms starting with · ladyboner · translady · lady's thistle · ladies' rackets · second lady · malady · Asian lady beetle · ladies and gentlemen · ladies first · pink lady · lady slipper · it ain't over till the fat lady sings · Lady altar · school dinner lady · Our Lady · ladyfinger · northern lady fern · Our Lady of Dolors · lady of the evening · ladies' cloakroom · school-dinner lady · milady · ladily · Quaker ladies · walking lady · lady crab · ladycation · snowlady · lady garden · lady boner · ladykind · saleslady · ladies and gents · it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings · ladylike · bag lady · Lady Bountifel · lady lumps · ladyfy · ladyism · lady-bird · lady who lunches · Lady Washington geranium · Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows · ladykilling · ladybro · it isn't over till the fat lady sings · sporting lady · landlady · Lady Lake · lady of pleasure · Lady Presidentress · white lady tears · court lady · ladymag · ladykin · lady's eardrop · ladybird · Cumberlady · tuck shop lady arm · ladies' night · mail lady · elf-lady · lady-fly · genteel lady · cleaning lady · bearded lady · shoplady · ladies' fingers · faint heart never won fair lady · lady bumps · lady paramount · lady luck · black lady · lady's maid · merlady · it ain't over until the fat lady sings · newslady · chairlady · Tupperware lady · methinks the lady doth protest too much · lady's thumb · barlady · Lady Macbeth strategy · ladykiller
Descendants
leitī · λέδη · レディ · ле́ди · لِيدِي · lady · lady · леди · lēdija · Lady · lady · läd · lady · haar ladyskap · lady · レディー · ле́йди · 레이디 · lady · ле́ді · лэ́дзі · λαίδη
Relateds
Translations (355)
lt ponia (woman of breeding and authority) · eo domestrino (mistress of a household) · ang drihtlice (woman of breeding and authority) · gl dona (polite term referring to a woman) · uz xonim (woman of breeding and authority) · te మహిళ (polite term referring to a woman) · ar هَانِم (woman of breeding and authority) · cmn 女主人 (mistress of a household) · tr bayan (polite term referring to a woman) · fr dame (polite term referring to a woman) · ru да́ма (polite term referring to a woman) · hu hölgy (polite term referring to a woman) · fr dame (woman of breeding and authority) · fur dame (polite term referring to a woman) · ota قادین (mistress of a household) · arz هانم (woman of breeding and authority) · vo läd (polite term referring to a woman) · cy arglwyddes (title for the wife a lord) · ru суда́рыня (polite term referring to a woman) · de Hausherrin (mistress of a household) · tg хонум (polite term referring to a woman) · de Madam (polite term referring to a woman) · arz ست البيت (mistress of a household) · fi rouva (slang: queen in chess) · uk па́ні (polite term referring to a woman) · ru ле́ди (woman of breeding and authority) · ro doamnă (title for the wife a lord) · br itron (title for the wife a lord) · la domina (mistress of a household) · pt dona (woman of breeding and authority) · ang hlæfdige (woman of breeding and authority) · kw arloedhes (title for the wife a lord) · fa خانم (woman of breeding and authority) · arz مدام (polite term referring to a woman) · be па́ні (woman of breeding and authority) · nl dame (polite term referring to a woman) · be спада́рыня (polite term referring to a woman) · ur خاتون (woman of breeding and authority) · sk dáma (woman of breeding and authority) · ar رَبَّة (mistress of a household) · fa بانو (woman of breeding and authority) · sv damtoalett (toilets intended for use by women) · ur بانو (polite term referring to a woman) · gv benchiarn (title for the wife a lord) · it lady (title for the wife a lord) · enm lady (mistress of a household) · sh го̏спођа (polite term referring to a woman) · vi nữ chủ nhân (mistress of a household) · fi naiset (toilets intended for use by women) · it signora (polite term referring to a woman) · cs dáma (polite term referring to a woman) · zu inkosikazi class 9/6 (title for the wife a lord) · la domina (polite term referring to a woman) · ru госпожа́ (title for the wife a lord) · ar رَبَّةْ اَلْبَيْت (mistress of a household) · hy տիկին (polite term referring to a woman) · gl dona (mistress of a household) · ko 아줌마 (polite term referring to a woman) · ja 貴婦人 (polite term referring to a woman) · egy H-nw:t-B1 (title for the wife a lord) · ckb خاتوون (polite term referring to a woman) · vi phu nhân (title for the wife a lord) · az xanım (polite term referring to a woman) · br itron (woman of breeding and authority) · ka ქალბატონი (polite term referring to a woman) · gl señora (woman of breeding and authority) · cs paní (polite term referring to a woman) · ru ле́ди (title for the wife a lord) · fa کدبانو (mistress of a household) · ota قادین (woman of breeding and authority) · fi rouva (address to a female) · pt damas (toilets intended for use by women) · fi nais- (with a professional title: who is a woman) · fa بانوان (toilets intended for use by women) · ja レディ (woman of breeding and authority) · ru мада́м (polite term referring to a woman) · pt ama (mistress of a household) · kw arlodhes (woman of breeding and authority) · gd baintighearna (woman of breeding and authority) · de Damentoilette (toilets intended for use by women) · uk ле́ді (woman of breeding and authority) · fa بانو (polite term referring to a woman) · ga bean uasal (polite term referring to a woman) · no dame (polite term referring to a woman) · ko 부인 (woman of breeding and authority) · tg хонум (woman of breeding and authority) · fur done (woman of breeding and authority) · ur صاحبہ (polite term referring to a woman) · ga bantiarna (title for the wife a lord) · ru ба́рыня (title for the wife a lord) · sv herrinna (title for the wife a lord) · gl dona (woman of breeding and authority) · oc senhora (polite term referring to a woman) · de Frau (title for the wife a lord) · ar سَيِّدَتِي (polite term referring to a woman) · cy arglwyddes (woman of breeding and authority) · hi महिला (toilets intended for use by women) · es señora (polite term referring to a woman) · el λαίδη (title for the wife a lord) · mk госпоѓа (polite term referring to a woman) · tr hanım (woman of breeding and authority) · de Herrin (title for the wife a lord) · sv fru (title for the wife a lord) · sh gospodarica (mistress of a household) · ga bean uasal (woman of breeding and authority) · gd baintighearna (mistress of a household) · et proua (polite term referring to a woman) · ru же́нский туале́т (toilets intended for use by women) · ota سیده (title for the wife a lord) · de Dame (title for the wife a lord) · cs dáma (title for the wife a lord) · sq zonjë (title for the wife a lord) · rom rani (woman of breeding and authority) · tl gining (woman of breeding and authority) · uk па́ні (woman of breeding and authority) · cmn 貴婦 /贵妇 (woman of breeding and authority) · fi rouva (title that can be used instead of the formal terms of marchioness, countess, viscountess or baroness) · mi rēri (title for the wife a lord) · ky айым (polite term referring to a woman) · dng тэтэ (polite term referring to a woman) · fa خانم (polite term referring to a woman) · gd bana-mhorair (woman of breeding and authority) · pl dama (woman of breeding and authority) · hi देवी (polite term referring to a woman) · zu inkosikazi class 9/6 (polite term referring to a woman) · eo lordedzino (title for the wife a lord) · pl pani (title for the wife a lord) · grc πότνια (mistress of a household) · ar خَاتُون (woman of breeding and authority) · es señora (title for the wife a lord) · nl damestoilet (toilets intended for use by women) · fr madame (polite term referring to a woman) · it signora (woman of breeding and authority) · uk да́ма (woman of breeding and authority) · mk леди (title for the wife a lord) · sv dam (polite term referring to a woman) · kk ханым (polite term referring to a woman) · ko 레이디 (title for the wife a lord) · mn хатагтай (polite term referring to a woman) · de verehrte Frau (polite term referring to a woman) · tr hanımefendi (polite term referring to a woman) · ar لِيدِي (title for the wife a lord) · bho महिला (woman of breeding and authority) · he גברת \ גְבֶרֶת (polite term referring to a woman) · chr ᎠᎨᏴ (woman of breeding and authority) · ga bantiarna (woman of breeding and authority) · ckb بانوو (polite term referring to a woman) · fa ستی (woman of breeding and authority) · ko 아가씨 (polite term referring to a woman) · it lady (woman of breeding and authority) · fi rouva (queen of playing cards) · ko 레이디 (woman of breeding and authority) · de Frau des Hauses (mistress of a household) · ja レディ (title for the wife a lord) · fa خاتون (woman of breeding and authority) · ro femei (toilets intended for use by women) · la domina (title for the wife a lord) · ota سیده (woman of breeding and authority) · gd leadaidh (address to a female) · vi quý bà (woman of breeding and authority) · ga bantiarna (mistress of a household) · fur done (polite term referring to a woman) · ru госпожа́ (polite term referring to a woman) · ru да́ма (woman of breeding and authority) · af dame (polite term referring to a woman) · ota قادین (title for the wife a lord) · es dama (polite term referring to a woman) · ar سَيِّدَة (polite term referring to a woman) · enm lady (polite term referring to a woman) · be лэ́дзі (woman of breeding and authority) · lv sieviešu tualete (toilets intended for use by women) · zu inkosikazi class 9/6 (woman of breeding and authority) · tr hanım (polite term referring to a woman) · ar هَانُم (polite term referring to a woman) · pt senhora (woman of breeding and authority) · fur signore (woman of breeding and authority) · ka ქალბატონი (woman of breeding and authority) · nl dame (woman of breeding and authority) · gd bean-uasal (woman of breeding and authority) · aeb لِلَّة (mistress of a household) · os ӕхсин (polite term referring to a woman) · ar أُسْتَاذَة (polite term referring to a woman) · gl dama (title for the wife a lord) · lv dāma (polite term referring to a woman) · hu úrnő (title for the wife a lord) · br itron (polite term referring to a woman) · fr madame (title for the wife a lord) · kmr xanim (polite term referring to a woman) · arz ربة منزل (mistress of a household) · eo sinjorino (woman of breeding and authority) · gl señora (title for the wife a lord) · el κυρία (woman of breeding and authority) · tk hanym (polite term referring to a woman) · mk женски тоале́т (toilets intended for use by women) · af dame (woman of breeding and authority) · ja 婦人 (woman of breeding and authority) · uz xonim (polite term referring to a woman) · lv kundze (polite term referring to a woman) · pl pani (woman of breeding and authority) · ja 淑女 (woman of breeding and authority) · ro lady (title for the wife a lord) · gd bean-uasal (polite term referring to a woman) · pt elas (toilets intended for use by women) · fi rouva (woman of breeding and authority) · sh gȍspođa (polite term referring to a woman) · gd baintighearna (title for the wife a lord) · ca senyora (polite term referring to a woman) · pt senhora (title for the wife a lord) · sw msichana (mistress of a household) · zu inkosikazi class 9/6 (mistress of a household) · mk дама (woman of breeding and authority) · ang drihtlice (title for the wife a lord) · ro dame (toilets intended for use by women) · fr dame (title for the wife a lord) · ota قادین (polite term referring to a woman) · de meine Dame (polite term referring to a woman) · be спада́рыня (woman of breeding and authority) · fur dame (woman of breeding and authority) · ru госпожа́ (woman of breeding and authority) · ang freo (woman of breeding and authority) · fi naistenhuone (toilets intended for use by women) · dsb kněni (woman of breeding and authority) · cmn 女廁所 /女厕所 (toilets intended for use by women) · gmy 𐀡𐀴𐀛𐀊 (mistress of a household) · it dama (woman of breeding and authority) · hu hölgyek (toilets intended for use by women) · ang hlæfdige (mistress of a household) · vi bà chủ (mistress of a household) · hi महोदया (polite term referring to a woman) · be да́ма (woman of breeding and authority) · ar رَبَّةْ اَلْمَنْزِل (mistress of a household) · ja 夫人 (title for the wife a lord) · ang hlæfdige (title for the wife a lord) · cs dáma (woman of breeding and authority) · vi quý bà (polite term referring to a woman) · mn ᠬᠠᠲᠤᠭᠲᠠᠢ (polite term referring to a woman) · ro doamnă (polite term referring to a woman) · fr madame (woman of breeding and authority) · be па́ні (polite term referring to a woman) · ug خېنىم (polite term referring to a woman) · bg ле́йди (title for the wife a lord) · cy boneddiges (woman of breeding and authority) · tly خنم (polite term referring to a woman) · cmn 女士 (woman of breeding and authority) · fi lady (title for the wife a lord) · pt moça (polite term referring to a woman) · ang ides (woman of breeding and authority) · ja 奥方 (woman of breeding and authority) · bg стопа́нка (mistress of a household) · mk стопанка (mistress of a household) · no dame (woman of breeding and authority) · ckb خانم (polite term referring to a woman) · sh gazdarica (mistress of a household) · hi महिला (polite term referring to a woman) · sq zonjë (mistress of a household) · sq zonjë (woman of breeding and authority) · enm lady (title for the wife a lord) · arz ليدي (title for the wife a lord) · it dama (polite term referring to a woman) · ro doamnă (mistress of a household) · ang freo (title for the wife a lord) · ru суда́рыня (woman of breeding and authority) · be лэ́дзі (title for the wife a lord) · pt dama (polite term referring to a woman) · ro doamnă (woman of breeding and authority) · ja 女性用トイレ (toilets intended for use by women) · gd leadaidh (title for the wife a lord) · bg да́ма (woman of breeding and authority) · fur signore (polite term referring to a woman) · lv lēdija (title for the wife a lord) · enm dame (mistress of a household) · de Dame (polite term referring to a woman) · fa مادام (polite term referring to a woman) · da dame (polite term referring to a woman) · gl dona (title for the wife a lord) · ru да́ма (title for the wife a lord) · el νοικοκυρά (mistress of a household) · ist duona (polite term referring to a woman) · arz أستاذة (polite term referring to a woman) · mk газдарица (mistress of a household) · oc dòna (woman of breeding and authority) · cmn 夫人 (polite term referring to a woman) · ota سیده (mistress of a household) · fa مادام (woman of breeding and authority) · ko 부인 (title for the wife a lord) · es ama (mistress of a household) · sv fru (mistress of a household) · it signora (title for the wife a lord) · lv saimniece (mistress of a household) · pt dama (woman of breeding and authority) · fr lady (title for the wife a lord) · dsb kněni (mistress of a household) · hu női mosdó (toilets intended for use by women) · de Ehefrau des Hausherrn (mistress of a household) · gl señora (mistress of a household) · sq zonjë (polite term referring to a woman) · eu andre (mistress of a household) · ko 숙녀 (woman of breeding and authority) · fr lady (woman of breeding and authority) · fi rouva (polite: woman) · ug خانىم (polite term referring to a woman) · da dame (woman of breeding and authority) · ang ides (title for the wife a lord) · lv dāma (woman of breeding and authority) · ar سَيِّدَة (woman of breeding and authority) · nl dame (title for the wife a lord) · hi श्रीमती (polite term referring to a woman) · gv benchiarn (woman of breeding and authority) · la domina (woman of breeding and authority) · lt ponia (polite term referring to a woman) · mk дама (title for the wife a lord) · enm dame (polite term referring to a woman) · tg бону (polite term referring to a woman) · rup chirã (polite term referring to a woman) · fi neiti (address to a female) · rm dunna (polite term referring to a woman) · cmn 太太 (polite term referring to a woman) · chr ᎠᎨᏴ (polite term referring to a woman) · egy H-nw:t-B1 (mistress of a household) · de Herrin des Hauses (mistress of a household) · ota سیده (polite term referring to a woman) · enm lady (woman of breeding and authority) · es dama (woman of breeding and authority) · es señora (woman of breeding and authority) · sl gospa (polite term referring to a woman) · el κυρία (polite term referring to a woman) · ps مېرمنه (woman of breeding and authority) · bg госпожа́ (polite term referring to a woman) · pl pani (polite term referring to a woman) · eo sinjorino (polite term referring to a woman) · ja 奥様 (polite term referring to a woman) · es baño de damas (toilets intended for use by women) · pl lady (title for the wife a lord) · lou fenm (polite term referring to a woman) · de Dame (woman of breeding and authority) · gl señora (polite term referring to a woman) · sv herrinna (mistress of a household) · mr लेडी (feminine of lord) · tg бону (woman of breeding and authority) · ja 奥方 (title for the wife a lord) · hy տանտիկին (mistress of a household) · fi rouva (polite term referring to a woman) · hu női WC (toilets intended for use by women) · eu andre (polite term referring to a woman) · oc dòna (polite term referring to a woman) · enm dame (woman of breeding and authority) · sk pani (polite term referring to a woman) · uk ле́ді (title for the wife a lord) · fi emäntä (mistress of a household) · ms puan (polite term referring to a woman) · fi rouva (mistress of a household) · az xanım (woman of breeding and authority) · rup chirã (woman of breeding and authority) · ru хозя́йка (mistress of a household) · ur مہیلا (polite term referring to a woman)