Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

mamma

 - 10 dictionary results

mam⋅ma

1  [mah-muh, muh-mah]
Use mamma in a Sentence
–noun
mama.

mam⋅ma

2  [mam-uh]
–noun, plural mam⋅mae  [mam-ee] for 1; mam⋅ma for 2.
1. Anatomy, Zoology. a structure, characteristic of mammals, that comprises one or more mammary glands with an associated nipple or teat, usually rudimentary unless developed and activated for the secretion of milk in the female after the birth of young.
2. Meteorology. (used with a plural verb) hanging, breastlike protuberances on the under surface of a cloud.
Origin:
bef. 1050; ME < L: breast, teat (whence OE mamme teat). See mamma 1

ma⋅ma

  [mah-muh; for 1 also muh-mah]
–noun
1. Informal. mother.
2. Slang.
a. a sexually attractive, usually mature woman.
b. one's wife.
Also, mamma.

Origin:
1545–55; nursery word, with parallels in other European languages, prob. in part inherited or borrowed, in part newly formed; cf. L mamma, Gk mámmē breast, mama (see mamma 2 ), F maman mama, Welsh mam mother (< *mammā)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To mamma
ma·ma or mam·ma also mom·ma   (mä'mə)   
n.  

  1. also (mə-mä') Informal Mother.

  2. Slang

    1. A woman.

    2. A wife.


[Of baby-talk origin; see mā-2 in Indo-European roots.]
mam·ma 1   (mä'mə)   
n.  Variant of mama.
mam·ma 2   (mām'ə)   
n.   pl. mam·mae (mām'ē)
An organ of female mammals that contains milk-producing glands; a mammary gland.

[Latin; see mā-2 in Indo-European roots.]
mam'mate' (mām'āt') adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

mama 
early 19c. spelling variant of mamma (q.v.). Meaning "sexually attractive woman" first recorded 1925 in black slang; mama's boy "soft, effeminate male" is from 1896.

mamma 
1579, reduplication of *ma-, nearly universal among the I.E. languages (cf. Gk. mamme "mother, grandmother," L. mamma, Pers. mama, Rus., Lith. mama "mother," Ger. Muhme "mother's sister," Fr. mamen, Welsh mam "mother"). Probably a natural sound in baby-talk, perhaps imitative of sound made while sucking. In educated usage, the stress is always on the last syllable. In terms of recorded usage in Eng., mum is from 1823, mummy 1839, momma 1884, mom 1894, and mommy 1902.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: mam·ma
Pronunciation: 'mam-&
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural mam·mae /'mam-"E, -"I/
: amammary gland and its accessory parts
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

mamma mam·ma (mām'ə)
n. pl. mam·mae (mām'ē)
A mammary gland.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see mamma on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way