Governess: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฉโ๐ซ
governess
[ หษกษvษrnษs ]
childcare profession
A governess is a woman employed to teach and train children in a private household. Unlike a nanny, who primarily focuses on childcare, a governess provides academic education and often oversees the overall development of the children in her care. This role has historically been associated with affluent families in need of personalized education for their children.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The governess taught the children how to read and write.
- In the 19th century, many families hired a governess for their daughters.
- She worked as a governess for a wealthy family in London.
Translations
Translations of the word "governess" in other languages:
๐ต๐น governa
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคตเคฐเฅเคจเฅเคธ
๐ฉ๐ช Gouvernante
๐ฎ๐ฉ pengasuh
๐บ๐ฆ ะณัะฑะตัะฝะฐัะพัะบะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ gubernator
๐ฏ๐ต ๅฎถๅบญๆๅธซ
๐ซ๐ท gouvernante
๐ช๐ธ gobernanta
๐น๐ท รถฤretmen
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ฐ์ ๊ต์ฌ
๐ธ๐ฆ ู ุฏูุฑุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ guvernantka
๐ธ๐ฐ guvernantka
๐จ๐ณ ๅฎถๅบญๆๅธ
๐ธ๐ฎ guvernantka
๐ฎ๐ธ uppalandi
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัำัะฑะธะตัั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแ แแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ gรถndษrษn
๐ฒ๐ฝ gobernanta
Etymology
The term 'governess' originates from the Middle English word 'governesse', which is derived from the Old French 'governer' meaning 'to govern'. The earliest use of the term dates back to the 15th century when it referred to a woman who held authority over children, particularly in noble or wealthy households. The role became more formalized in the 18th and 19th centuries, especially in Europe, as education for children, particularly daughters, became more important among the upper classes. Governesses were often educated women themselves, sometimes hailing from prestigious backgrounds, who were hired to provide a more refined education to girls who were not sent to formal schools. Governesses had an important role in shaping the moral and educational upbringing of children and were seen as crucial in instilling social etiquette and skills necessary for their future roles in society.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #17,393, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.
- ...
- 17390 dolphins
- 17391 uncommonly
- 17392 locust
- 17393 governess
- 17394 prophesied
- 17395 whereon
- 17396 wrung
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