governess

[guhv-er-nis] Origin

gov·ern·ess

[guhv-er-nis]
noun
1.
a woman who is employed to take charge of a child's upbringing, education, etc.
2.
Archaic. a woman who is a ruler or governor.

Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English governeress < Old French gouverneresse, feminine of gouverneur governor; see -ess

gov·er·ness·y, adjective
sub·gov·ern·ess, noun
un·der·gov·ern·ess, noun


See -ess.

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Governess is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
Collins
World English Dictionary
governess (ˈɡʌvənɪs)
 
n
a woman teacher employed in a private household to teach and train the children

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

governess
late 15c., "female ruler," shortening of governouresse "a woman who rules" (see governor + -ess); in the sense of "a female teacher in a private home" it is attested from 1712.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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