lady Definition

lady
noun ladies

1. A woman who is regarded as having good manners and elegant or refined behaviour.

Thesaurus: woman, madam, matron, dame.
2. A polite word for a woman generally.
3. historical
A woman of the upper classes.
(Brit)
4a. A title of honour used for peeresses (but not duchesses), the wives and daughters of peers and knights, and for certain women of importance, eg mayoresses;

Form: Lady
(Brit)
4b. The formal way of addressing someone who holds such an honorary title.

Form: Lady
Form: my lady
5a. now rather dated
Said of the female gender: used especially for occupations, etc formerly considered to be the domain of men;
Example: a lady doctor
5b. now rather dated
Said of the female gender: used especially when the attendant noun fails to signal gender.
Example: went on holiday with his lady friend

Derivative: lady of the house
noun

usually facetious
The woman who is head of a household.

Derivative: lady of the night
noun

euphemistic
A prostitute.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon hlæfdige, meaning ‘bread-kneader'.