Dame (dām),
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.
Then shall these lords do vex me half so much,
As
that proud dame, the lord protector's wife.
Shak.
2. The mistress of a
family in common life, or the mistress of a
common school; as, a dame's school.
In the dame's classes at the village school.
Emerson. 3. A woman in general, esp. an elderly woman.
4. A mother; -- applied to human beings and quadrupeds.
[Obs.] Chaucer.
Hear it pronounced