memsahib

American  

[mem-sahb, mem-sah-ib, ‐hib, ‐heeb] / ˈmɛm sɑb, ˈmɛm sɑ ɪb, ‐hɪb, ‐hib /

noun

1. (formerly, in India) a term of respect for a married European woman.

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memsahib British  

/ -hɪb, ˈmɛmˌsɑːɪb /

noun

1. (formerly in India) a term of respect used of a European married woman

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Etymology

Origin of memsahib

First recorded in 1855–60; from Hindi, equivalent to mem (from English ma'am ) + sāhib “master” (from Arabic ṣāḥib )

Example Sentences

And would have, if the memsahib hadn’t shot me a glance that said, Dear, why don’t we move on from the heron?

From Forbes • Jun. 4, 2013

Deborah Kerr is very pukka memsahib, and Barry Nelson displays his boyish charm, though the patina of age has begun to dull it.

From Time Magazine Archive

I pretended to know what a memsahib is.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

The ayah saw her and put up a prayer that the memsahib might never find the love of her children taken away from her and given to a stranger.

From Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II by Kipling, Rudyard

Yes, he had seen the memsahib, the soldier replied; he heard her order one of the sahib's muleteers to saddle her pony and she went toward Pal-khor Choide.

From Caravans By Night A Romance of India by Hervey, Harry