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.
Read more about Lady: Etymology and Usage
Famous quotes containing the word lady:
“Swear me, Kate, like a lady as thou art,
A good mouth-filling oath.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Sweet Suffolk Owl, so trimly dight
With feathers, like a lady bright,
Thou sing’st alone, sitting by night,
Te whit! Te whoo! Te whit! To whit!”
—Thomas Vautor (fl. c. 1590?)
“London Bridge is broken down,
Dance o’er my lady lee,
London Bridge is broken down,
With a gay lady.
How shall we build it up again?
Dance o’er my lady lee,”
—Unknown. London Bridge (l. 1–6)