governess
English
/ˈɡʌvɚnəs/, /ˈɡʌvənəs/
noun
Definitions
- A woman paid to educate children in their own home.
- (rare) A female governor.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English governeresse derived from Old French governeresse (female ruler administrator).
Origin
Old French
governeresse
Gloss
female ruler administrator
Timeline
Distribution of cognates by language
Geogrpahic distribution of cognates
Cognates and derived terms
- governesshood English
- governessless English
- governesslike English
- governessship English
- governessy English
- governoress English
- governeresse Middle English
- governour Middle English
- governeresse Old French