dame



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Dame \Dame\ (d[=a]m), 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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