Damehood
/ˈdeɪm.hʊd/noun
The status, rank, or title of being a dame.
Did you know?“Dame” ultimately comes from Latin *domina* (“mistress, lady”), the feminine counterpart of *dominus* (“master”), so the word carries the old language of household authority, not just politeness.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dem-
“to build, house, or tame; the deep root behind household and authority words”
Latin
Latin
dominus
“master of a household, lord”
Late Latin
Latin
domina
“mistress, lady, female head of a household”
Old French
Old French
dame
“lady; noblewoman; title of respect”
Middle English
English
dame
“lady, woman of rank; title for a married or older woman”
19th-20th Century
English
-hood
“a state, condition, or rank; forming nouns of status”
Modern English
English
damehood
“the rank or status of being a dame”