memsahib
1
9.9
A European woman who was often the wife of a British official and respected in South Asia during British rule
- noun
- /ˈmɛmˌsahɪb/
- Archaic
:
memsahib
- The servants respectfully addressed her as memsahib during dinner.
- memsahib and sahib
Examples
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Memsahib, in less than an hour the Newcastle sails, not to return for another month.
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Tell memsahib she's wanted in the study immediately.
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There was a girl and a memsahib, too.
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Or let the Memsahib talk.
Fiction book (2000) -
I am so late for the memsahib.
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Nearly frightened the life out of the memsahib!
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- Thank you, memsahib.
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Where is memsahib?
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Goodbye, memsahib.
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I don't think Siam agrees with you, Memsahib.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Memsahib comes from South Asia and joins mem, from English 'ma'am', and sahib, a local word meaning 'respected person' or 'sir'. It was used during the British Raj for a European woman of high rank, especially the wife of a British official, which is why it means a respectful title for such women today.