Dame (?), n. [F. dame, LL. domna, fr. L. domina mistress, lady, fem. of dominus master, ruler, lord; akin to domare to tame, subdue. See Tame, and cf. Dam mother, Dan, Danger, Dangeon, Dungeon, Dominie, Don, n., Duenna.]
1.
A mistress of a family, who is a lady; a woman in authority; especially, a lady.
Then shall these lords do vex me half so much,
As that proud dame, the lord protector's wife.
Shak.
2.
The mistress of a family in common life, or the mistress of a common school; as, a dame's school.
In the dame's classes at the village school.
Emerson.
3.
A woman in general, esp. an elderly woman.
4.
A mother; -- applied to human beings and quadrupeds.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.