[guhv-er-nis] 
| 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. |
| gov·er·ness (gŭv'ər-nĭs) n. A woman employed to educate and train the children of a private household. [Middle English governesse, short for governouresse, from Old French governeresse, feminine of governeor, governor, from Latin gubernātor; see gubernatorial.] |
ər