dame
/deim/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A woman of refinement and high social standing: "Dame" can refer to a woman of dignified, elegant, or noble bearing, often associated with courtesy titles or honorifics.
- An informal or slightly old-fashioned term for a woman: Used informally, sometimes with a tone of familiarity or slight disrespect, to refer to any woman, often a young one.
Usage Examples
Noun (Woman of refinement):
- The dame entered the ballroom with an air of quiet authority.
- He was a gentleman who always showed the utmost respect to every dame he met.
Noun (Informal term for a woman):
- Who's the dame he was talking to at the bar?
- Some dame left her umbrella on the train.
Advanced Usage
"Dame" as a title: In the United Kingdom, "Dame" is the female equivalent of a knighthood, a title of honor for a woman, equivalent to the rank of Knight.
- Dame Judi Dench is a renowned British actress.
- She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to drama.
"Grand dame": An idiom referring to a respected, influential, or dignified elderly woman, especially one long prominent in a particular field.
- She is considered the grand dame of American fashion design.
Variants and Related Words
- Damehood (n): The rank or title of a dame.
- Her damehood was conferred in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Synonyms
- Lady: A woman of good family or high social position.
- Matron: A dignified, usually older, married woman.
- Gal (informal): A girl or young woman.
Related Phrases
- "Dame school" (historical): A small, private school for young children run by women in their own homes.
- In the 18th century, many children received their first education at a dame school.
Related Idioms
- "Dame Fortune": A personification of luck or fate as a woman.
- He relied on Dame Fortune to smile upon his risky venture.
Noun
- a woman of refinement
- a chauffeur opened the door of the limousine for the grand lady
- informal terms for a (young) woman