Main Entry:

Mrs.

Pronunciation:

\ˈmi-səz, -səs, especially Southern ˈmi-zəz, -zəs, or in rapid speech in sense 1 (ˌ)miz, or before given names (ˌ)mis\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural Mes·dames \mā-ˈdäm, -ˈdam\

Etymology:

Mrs. abbreviation of mistress; Mesdames from French, plural of Madame

Date:

circa 1578

1 a—used as a conventional title of courtesy except when usage requires the substitution of a title of rank or an honorific or professional title before a married woman's surname <spoke to Mrs. Doe> b—used before the name of a place (as a country or city) or of a profession or activity (as a sport) or before some epithet (as clever) to form a title applied to a married woman viewed or recognized as representative of the thing indicated <Mrs. Golf>2: wife <left with the Mrs.>