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gentlewoman

[ jen-tl-woom-uhn ]
/ ˈdʒɛn tlˌwʊm ən /
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noun, plural gen·tle·wom·en.
a woman of good family, breeding, or social position
a civilized, educated, sensitive, or well-mannered woman; lady.
a woman who attends upon a lady of rank.
a female member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives: The chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Maine.
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Origin of gentlewoman

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; see origin at gentle, woman

OTHER WORDS FROM gentlewoman

gen·tle·wom·an·ly, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gentlewoman in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gentlewoman

gentlewoman
/ (ˈdʒɛntəlˌwʊmən) /

noun plural -women
archaic a woman regarded as being of good family or breeding; lady
rare a woman who is cultured, courteous, and well-educated
history a woman in personal attendance on a high-ranking lady

Derived forms of gentlewoman

gentlewomanly, adjectivegentlewomanliness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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