gentlewoman

gentlewoman

English

Etymology

From Middle English gentilwoman, modelled after gentilman (“gentleman”), equivalent to gentle +‎ -woman.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈdʒɛntəlˌwʊmən/

Noun

gentlewoman (plural gentlewomen)

1. (historical) A woman of the nobility.
   • 1623, William Shakespeare, Macbeth:

     Gentlewoman: Since his majesty went into the field, I have seen her rise from her bed, throw her night-gown upon...

Translations

woman of the nobility

Galician: dama f, dona f Greek: κυρία (el) f (kyría), αρχοντογυναίκα (el) f (archontogynaíka)

Irish: bean uasal f

See also

• gentleman
• gentlelady