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Ma'am

//mæm// noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A form of address for a woman: contraction of madam.

    "Madam me no Madam, but learn to retrench your vvords; and ſay Mam; as yes Mam, and no Mam, as other Ladies VVomen do. Madam! 'tis a year in pronouncing."

  2. 2
    a woman of refinement wordnet
  3. 3
    A polite and formal way to address a woman.

    "Ma'am, will you be attending the dinner this evening?"

  4. 4
    A respectful term of address to a woman of higher rank or position.

    "– Sergeant, have the platoon in formation and ready for inspection at 0800. – Aye aye, ma'am."

  5. 5
    A title for a married woman. archaic

    "That is Ma'am Smith, the matriarch of the Smith families."

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  1. 6
    (US, education) A female schoolteacher; a schoolmarm. archaic
Verb
  1. 1
    To address (a woman) as "ma'am". informal, transitive

    "["]And, fellas, I've got to tell you that your Texas manners are perfect. Y'all have about ma'amed me to death. But you can call me Lucy from here on out. Got it?" / "Yes, ma'am—I mean, Lucy," Joseph complied, taking the sledgehammer and grinning as he looked from it to the blue wall."

Etymology

Etymology 1

The noun is a contraction of madam, and represents a regional pronunciation of that word in the United Kingdom. The verb is derived from the noun.

Etymology 2

The noun is a contraction of madam, and represents a regional pronunciation of that word in the United Kingdom. The verb is derived from the noun.

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