|
(l"d), n.; pl. Ladies (-dz). [OE. ladi, lfdi, AS. hlfdige, hlfdie; AS. hlf loaf + a root of uncertain origin, possibly akin to E. dairy. See Loaf, and cf. Lord.] 1. A woman who looks after the domestic affairs of a family; a mistress; the female head of a household. Agar, the handmaiden of Sara, whence comest thou, and whither goest thou? The which answered, Fro the face of Sara my lady. Wyclif (Gen. xvi. 8.). 2. A woman having proprietary rights or authority; mistress; -- a feminine correlative of lord. "Lord or lady of high degree." Lowell. Of all these bounds, even from this line to this, . . . We make thee lady. Shak. 3. A woman to whom the particular homage of a knight was paid; a woman to whom one is devoted or bound; a sweetheart. The soldier here his wasted store supplies, And takes new valor from his lady's eyes. Waller. 4. A woman of social distinction or position. In England, a title prefixed to the name of any woman whose husband is not of lower rank La"dy a.Belonging or becoming to a lady; ladylike. "Some lady trifles." Shak. スポンサード リンク
|