Lady

The word lady is a polite term for a woman, specifically the female equivalent to, or spouse of, a lord or gentleman, and in many contexts a term for any adult woman. Once relating specifically to women of high social class or status, over the last 300 years it has spread to embrace all adult women, though in some contexts may still be used to evoke a concept of "ladylike" standards of behaviour.

Famous quotes containing the word lady:

“There once was a lady of Spain
Who liked it now and again:
That’s now, then again
And again and again
And again and again and again.”
—Anonymous.

“But when his horse had put its hoof
Into a rabbit hole
He dropped upon his head and died.
His lady saw it all
And dropped and died thereon, for she
Loved him with her soul.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)

“I saw my lady weep,
And Sorrow proud to be advanced so
In those fair eyes where all perfections keep.
Her face was full of woe;

But such a woe, believe me, as wins more hearts
Than Mirth can do with her enticing parts.”
—Unknown. I Saw My Lady Weep (l. 1–6)