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womanless

 - 2 dictionary results

wom⋅an

[woom-uhn] noun, plural wom⋅en [wim-in] , verb, adjective
–noun
1. the female human being (distinguished from man ).
2. an adult female person.
3. a female attendant to a lady of rank.
4. a wife.
5. the nature, characteristics, or feelings often attributed to women; womanliness.
6. a sweetheart or paramour; mistress.
7. a female employee or representative: A woman from the real estate agency called.
8. a female person who cleans house, cooks, etc.; housekeeper: The woman will be in to clean today.
9. women collectively: Woman is no longer subordinate to man.
–verb (used with object)
10. to put into the company of a woman.
11. to equip or staff with women.
12. Obsolete. to cause to act or yield like a woman.
–adjective
13. of women; womanly.
14. female: a woman plumber.
15. be one's own woman, (of females) to be free from restrictions, control, or dictatorial influence; be independent.

Origin:
bef. 900; ME womman, wimman, OE wīfman, equiv. to wīf female + man human being; see wife, man 1


wom⋅an⋅less, adjective


Woman, female, lady are nouns referring to adult human beings who are biologically female; that is, capable of bearing offspring. Woman is the general term. It is neutral, lacking either favorable or unfavorable implication, and is the most commonly used of the three: a wealthy woman; a woman of strong character, of unbridled appetites. In scientific, statistical, and other objective use, female is the neutral contrastive term to male and may apply to plants and animals also: 104 females to every 100 males; Among lions, the female is the chief hunter. Female is sometimes used in disparaging contexts: a gossipy female; a conniving female. Lady meaning “refined, polite woman” is a term of approval or praise: a real lady in all things; to behave like a lady.


2. Although formerly woman was sometimes regarded as demeaning and lady was the term of courtesy, woman is the designation preferred by most modern female adults: League of Women Voters; American Association of University Women. Woman is the standard feminine parallel to man. As a modifier of a plural noun, woman, like man, is exceptional in that the plural form women is used: women athletes; women students. The use of lady as a term of courtesy has diminished somewhat in recent years (the lady of the house), although it still survives in a few set phrases (ladies' room; Ladies' Day). Lady is also used, but decreasingly, as a term of reference for women engaged in occupations considered by some to be menial or routine: cleaning lady; saleslady. See also girl, lady, -woman.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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wom·an   (wŏŏm'ən)   
n.   pl. wom·en (wĭm'ĭn)
  1. An adult female human.

  2. Women considered as a group; womankind: "Woman feels the invidious distinctions of sex exactly as the black man does those of color" (Elizabeth Cady Stanton).

  3. An adult female human belonging to a specified occupation, group, nationality, or other category. Often used in combination: an Englishwoman; congresswoman; a saleswoman.

  4. Feminine quality or aspect; womanliness.

  5. A female servant or subordinate.

  6. Informal

    1. A wife.

    2. A female lover or sweetheart. See Usage Notes at lady, man, person.


[Middle English, from Old English wimman, variant of wīfman : wīf, woman; see ghwībh- in Indo-European roots + man, person; see man.]
wom'an·less 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.
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