mamma

¹ American  

[mah-muh, muh-mah] / ˈmɑ mə, məˈmɑ /

noun

1. mama.

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mamma ² American  

[mam-uh] / ˈmæm ə /

noun

plural

mammae

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. the hanging protuberances of a mammatus, on the undersurface of a thunderstorm cloud.

   The mamma in this formation are distinctly ominous.

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mamma ¹ British  

noun

1. Also: momma.  another word for mother 1

2. informal a buxom and voluptuous woman

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mamma ² British  

/ ˈmæmə /

noun

1. the milk-secreting organ of female mammals: the breast in women, the udder in cows, sheep, etc

2. (functioning as plural) breast-shaped protuberances, esp from the base of cumulonimbus clouds

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Etymology

Origin of mamma

First recorded before 1050; Middle English, from Latin: “breast, teat” (whence Old English mamme “teat”); mamma ¹

Example Sentences

The mamma centipede may have a face like a David Cronenberg nightmare, but she's a devoted parent, curling around the wriggly bits of multi-legged spaghetti she calls her offspring to protect them.

From Salon

The name mammatus comes from the Latin mamma which means 'udder' or 'breast'.

From BBC

She claims she even uses words and mannerisms such as "mamma mia", "bambino" and "si" in conversation without realising it.

From BBC

“And to defend the right of her mamma and papa to do all that they can for her.”

From Seattle Times

“No mamma must be forced to interrupt nursing to return to work, no women should be denied this possibility,” she said.

From Washington Times