2. A woman who attends a lady of high rank. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
gentlewoman — [jent′ l woom΄ən] n. pl. gentlewomen [jent′ lwim΄in] [ME gentil womman] 1. Obs. a woman born into a family of high social standing; lady 2. a courteous, gracious, considerate woman 3. Historical a woman in attendance on a lady of rank ☆ 4. a… … English World dictionary
gentlewoman — (n.) early 13c., from GENTLE (Cf. gentle) + WOMAN (Cf. woman) … Etymology dictionary
gentlewoman — This word is rarely used in modern English, ‘lady’ serving as the usual feminine form of ‘gentleman’. In former times the word was used of a woman of good birth and breeding, especially when she was an attendant on a lady of rank. ‘Call in my… … A dictionary of epithets and terms of address
gentlewoman — UK [ˈdʒent(ə)lˌwʊmən] / US noun [countable] Word forms gentlewoman : singular gentlewoman plural gentlewomen UK [ˈdʒent(ə)lˌwɪmɪn] / US 1) an old word for a woman who was well educated or who was from a high social class 2) American formal used… … English dictionary
gentlewoman — gentlewomanly, adj. /jen tl woom euhn/, n., pl. gentlewomen. 1. a woman of good family, breeding, or social position 2. a civilized, educated, sensitive, or well mannered woman; lady. 3. a woman who attends upon a lady of rank. 4. a female member … Universalium
gentlewoman — [[t]ʤe̱nt(ə)lwʊmən[/t]] gentlewomen N COUNT A gentlewoman is a woman of high social standing, or a woman who is cultured, educated, and well mannered. [OLD FASHIONED] She decided to set up a training scheme for gentlewomen who aspired to be… … English dictionary
gentlewoman — noun Date: 13th century 1. a. a woman of noble or gentle birth b. a woman who is an attendant upon a lady of rank 2. a woman of refined manners or good breeding ; lady … New Collegiate Dictionary
gentlewoman — Synonyms and related words: Eve, Frau, abigail, amah, archduchess, au pair girl, ayah, baroness, betweenmaid, biddy, chambermaid, chaperon, companion, cook, countess, dame, daughter of Eve, distaff, domina, donna, dowager, duchess, duenna, femme … Moby Thesaurus
gentlewoman — (Roget s IV) n. Syn. dame, noblewoman, woman of breeding; see lady 2 , 3 … English dictionary for students
gentlewoman — gen|tle|wo|man [ˈdʒentlˌwumən] n plural gentlewomen [ ˌwımın] old use a woman who belongs to a high social class … Dictionary of contemporary English
