governess
UK /ˈɡʌvənəs/ · US /ˈɡʌvɚnəs/ noun, verb
Forms governesses governessing governessed
- noun A woman paid to educate children in their own home.
- noun (dated) A female governor.
- noun (dated) The wife of a governor.
- verb To work as governess; to educate children in their own home.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English governesse, a contracted form of governeresse, from Old French governeresse (“female ruler or administrator”). In later senses, equivalent to govern(or) + -ess.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A female governor; a woman invested with authority to control and direct; especially, one intrusted with the care and instruction of children, --usually in their homes.
Etymology [Cf. OF. governeresse. See Governor.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “governess”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details