ladyhood

1 7.4

The state of being an adult woman with social standing

noun
/ˈleɪdiˌhʊd/

Archaic

: feminidad

The book explores the challenges women face in defining their own ladyhood in contemporary culture.
Southern ladyhood

Examples

Good grooming, clothes, and beauty were deeply intertwined with notions of morality and dignified ladyhood.

Academic text (2005)
Good grooming and etiquette are often associated with the ideals of ladyhood in traditional societies.
She believed that the ladyhood of her grandmother was reflected in her grace and poise.

Synonyms

womanhood

vsladyhood

14 3.6

The state of being an adult female and the common experiences that come with it

focuses on social standing and maturity rather than broad life experiences

gentility

vsladyhood

4 7.9

Polite and elegant behavior that shows high social standing

emphasizes social rank and maturity rather than mere manners

womanness

vsladyhood

1 7.0

Qualities and feelings that show a person is an adult female

centres on social rank and mature status rather than general female traits

ladylikeness

vsladyhood

Archaic

8.6

A woman's polite and gentle behavior

focuses on social rank and maturity rather than behaviour

muliebrity

vsladyhood

Archaic

9.9

The state of being a woman

is about social status and maturity rather than general sex identity

Surface Forms

ladyhood singular

ladyhoods plural

Morphology

ladyhood = lady (transparent) = lady + hood

A productive formation with the suffix '-hood' meaning 'state or condition', so learners can infer 'the state of being a lady' from its parts.

Etymology

Ladyhood is made from lady and the ending -hood. The old meaning of lady was a woman who looked after bread ('bread-kneader'), and -hood means 'state', just like in childhood, so ladyhood is the 'state of being a lady', often meaning maturity or social position.