Main Entry: wom·an

Pronunciation: \ˈwu̇-mən, especially Southern ˈwō- or ˈwə-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural wom·en \ˈwi-mən\

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wīfman, from wīf woman, wife + man human being, man

Date: before 12th century

1 a : an adult female person b : a woman belonging to a particular category (as by birth, residence, membership, or occupation) —usually used in combination <councilwoman>
2 : womankind
3 : distinctively feminine nature : womanliness
4 : a woman who is a servant or personal attendant
5 a chiefly dialect : wife b : mistress c : girlfriend 2

— woman adjective

— wom·an·less \-ləs\ adjective