Lady

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.

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Famous quotes containing the word lady:

    “After some years, the elusive lady ran out of people to elude.”
    —Mason Cooley (b. 1927)

    “It is perfectly right for a gentleman to say “ladies and gentlemen,” but a lady should say, “gentlemen and ladies.” You mention your friend’s name before you do your own. I always feel like rebuking any woman who says, “ladies and gentlemen.” It is a lack of good manners.”
    —Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)

    “Och, Dublin City, there is no doubtin’,
    Bates every city upon the say;
    ‘Tis there you’ll see O’Connell spoutin’,
    An’ Lady Morgan makin’ tay;
    For ‘tis the capital of the finest nation,
    Wid charmin’ pisintry on a fruitful sod,
    Fightin’ like divils for conciliation
    An’ hatin’ each other for the love of God.”
    —Charles James Lever (1809–1872)