memsahib

noun

mem·​sa·​hib ˈmem-ˌsä-ˌ(h)ib How to pronounce memsahib (audio)
-ˌsäb
: a white foreign woman of high social status living in India
especially : the wife of a British official

Word History

Etymology

Hindi, from English ma'am + Hindi & Urdu sahib sahib

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of memsahib was in 1832

Dictionary Entries Near memsahib

Cite this Entry

“Memsahib.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memsahib. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

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