1. The proprietress of a bawdy house. "That barnacle (woman) who gave me my bit (prison sentence) on the skin-heist (for rape) was a madam in a nautch-joint (brothel) in Elcart." 2. An old male oral sodomist or passive pederast.

- american underworld dictionary - 1950

Mad"am (?), n.; pl. Madams, or Mesdames (#). [See Madame.]

A gentlewoman; -- an appellation or courteous form of address given to a lady, especially an elderly or a married lady; -- much used in the address, at the beginning of a letter, to a woman. The corresponding word in addressing a man is Sir.

 

© Webster 1913.

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