governess
noun/ˈɡʌvənəs/
/ˈɡʌvərnəs/
- (especially in the past) a woman employed to teach the children of a rich family in their home and to live with them
- She was educated at home by a series of governesses.
- She was governess to the three daughters of a wealthy manufacturer.
Word OriginMiddle English (originally governeress, denoting a female ruler): from Old French governeresse, feminine of governeour ‘governor’, from Latin gubernator, from gubernare ‘to steer, rule’, from Greek kubernan ‘to steer’.Want to learn more?
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