Definition

1. Noun:
   • A female domestic servant: An "amah" is a woman employed to perform household duties, historically in certain Asian contexts.
   • A wet nurse: An "amah" can specifically refer to a woman hired to breastfeed and care for another woman's infant.

Usage and Examples

• As a female domestic servant:

  • The family employed an amah to manage the household chores.
  • In the historical account, the amah was responsible for cleaning and cooking.

• As a wet nurse:

  • The mother, unable to nurse, hired an amah for her newborn child.
  • The amah cared for the infant as if it were her own.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The term "amah" originates from Portuguese and was used historically in contexts like colonial India, China, and Southeast Asia. Its usage in modern English is often historical or regionally specific.
• It can sometimes carry connotations of a trusted, senior domestic role within a household, beyond just basic chores.

Variants and Related Words

• Ayah (noun): A similar term used in India for a nursemaid or nanny.
• Nanny (noun): A more common modern term for a person employed to care for children.
• Wet nurse (noun): The specific term for a woman who breastfeeds another's child.

Synonyms

• Maid: A female domestic servant.
• Nursemaid: A woman employed to care for young children.
• Domestic: A worker employed in household duties.

Related Phrases and Idioms

(This word does not commonly form part of English idioms or phrasal verbs.)

Noun

1. a female domestic
2. a woman hired to suckle a child of someone else