01 n. A mistress of a family, who is a lady; a woman in authority; especially, a lady.
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1.
A mistress of a family, who is a lady; a woman 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.
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2.
The mistress of a family in common life, or the mistress of a common school; as, a dame's school.“In the dame's classes at the village school.” — Emerson.
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3.
A woman in general, esp. an elderly woman.
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4.
A mother; -- applied to human beings and quadrupeds.[Obs.]