Definition

Noun: A respectful term of address or reference for a European woman, especially one of high social status, in colonial India. It is the feminine form of "sahib."

Usage

The word "memsahib" is a historical term. It was used primarily during the British colonial period in India to address or refer to a married European lady, typically the wife of a "sahib" (a European gentleman, especially one in authority). It implies a position within the colonial social hierarchy.

Examples

• The servants were instructed to prepare the house for the memsahib's arrival.
• The memsahib would often take her afternoon tea on the veranda.
• In the old letters, he frequently asked after the health of the memsahib.

Advanced Usage

• The term is now largely archaic and can carry connotations of the colonial past, its associated power structures, and social distance. Its use in modern contexts is typically historical, literary, or critical.
• It can be used to evoke a specific time period or to comment on colonial relationships.

Variants and Related Words

• Sahib (noun): The male counterpart, a term of respect for a European man in colonial India.
• Memsahib is a compound word formed from the English "ma'am" and the Urdu/ Hindi "sahib."

Synonyms

• Madam: A formal term of address for a woman.
• Lady: A woman of high social position or refinement.

Antonyms / Contrasting Terms

• Ayah: (Historically) A nanny or maid, typically an Indian woman, working for a European family.
• Servant: Highlights the social contrast inherent in the term "memsahib."

Noun

1. a woman sahib