Added to
Favorites
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Word Dynamo
Quotes
Reference
Translator
Spanish
Log In
Sign Up
Premium
Introducing a cool
new way to learn!
governess
Use
Governess
in a sentence
Ads
Governess
and Nanny Forum
www.nannyreviews.com/
Get Advice On Nannies, Babysitters and More. Free Forum!
Full-Time Nannies
www.collegenanniesandtutors.com/
Find a professional full-time nanny today
gov·ern·ess
/
ˈgʌv
ər
nɪs
/
Show Spelled
[
guhv
-er-nis
]
Show IPA
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
Related forms
gov·er·ness·y,
adjective
sub·gov·ern·ess,
noun
un·der·gov·ern·ess,
noun
Usage note
See
-ess.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To
governess
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
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Relevant Questions
What Is Andorras Goverme...
Where Is The Local Gover...
What Is National Goverme...
What Is The Philippines ...
What Is Representative G...
What Is Puerto Ricos Gov...
What Is Andorras Goverme...
What Is Representative G...
What Is National Goverme...
Where Is The Local Gover...
00:10
Governess
is always a great word to know.
So is
gobo
. Does it mean:
So is
bezoar
. Does it mean:
So is
doohickey
. Does it mean:
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
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
Cite This Source
Example sentences
The screams of the
governess
attracted the attention of several of the
neighbors and people in the house.
It deals also with loving but neglectful parents and a bitterly grim
governess
.
Before she was married, she worked as a
governess
and a librarian.
Her
governess
, a registered nurse, decided to quit and volunteer as a military
nurse.
She had the proper manners of an old-time
governess
, a schoolteacher or a small town librarian.
When our parents found out, they were absolutely furious with the
governess
.
The state is not so much a nanny as a high-minded
governess
.
Enjoy Dictionary.com ad-free! Learn more
Related Words
-ess
amah
duenna
mademoiselle
MORE
Matching Quote
"I may be old-fashioned. I don't like this modern movement.... And yet, there are certain sorts of work a woman may well do; teaching, being
governess
, or any taking care of children."
-Julia Dent Grant
MORE
Related Searches
Victorian discipline...
Strict governess
Governess role
Role of the governes...
Governess life
Victorian governesse...
Governess richard
Governess punish
Nearby Words
govern
govern mental
govern mentales...
govern mentalis...
govern mentalis...
govern orate
govern'mentally
govern-mental
govern-mentales...
govern-mentalis...
govern-mentalis...
govern-orate
governa'bility
governability
governable
governableness
governador vala...
governal
governance
governante
governess
governessy
governing board
governing body
government
government acco...
government acti...
government agen...
government agen...
government bond
government buil...
government depa...
government econ...
government fina...
government hous...
government in e...
government inco...
government issu...
government man
government mini...
government nati...
Synonyms
guardian
mistress
teacher
nanny
MORE
Partners:
Word
Bloglines
Citysearch
The Daily Beast
Ask Answers
Ask Kids
Life123
Sendori
Home Advisor
Copyright ©
2013 Dictionary.com, LLC
. All rights reserved.
About
PRIVACY POLICY
Terms
API
Careers
Advertise with Us
Contact Us
Suggest a Word
Help
Please
Login
or
Sign Up
to use the Favorites feature
Please
Login
or
Sign Up
to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT