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Dame

1. A mistress of a family, who is a lady; a womam in authority; especially, a lady. Then shall these lords do vex me half so much, as that proud dame, the lord protector's wife. (Shak)

2. The mistress of a family in common life, or the mistress of a common school; as, a dames school. In the dames classes at the village school.

3. A woman in general, especially. An elderly woman.

4. A mother; applied to human beings and quadrupeds.

Origin: f. Dame, LL. Domna, fr. L. Domina mistress, lady, fem. Of dominus master, ruler, lord; akin to domare to tame, subdue. See tame, and cf. Dam mother, dan, danger, Dangeon, dungeon, Dominie, Don, Duenna.