Middle English Dictionary Entry
governeresse n.
Entry Info
| Forms | governeresse n. Also governresse, governers. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A woman who rules, a queen; also fig.; (b) a tutelary goddess; (c) fig. chief controller or determiner; guiding influence, motivating principle.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.3805 : Of þis lond [of the Amazons] was Pantysylla Whilom lady and gouerneresse.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.2934 : Delbora..was ther iuge and ther gouerneresse, Cheeff off ther counsail.
- c1450(c1370) Chaucer ABC (Benson-Robinson)141 : He [God] hath thee [Mary] maked vicaire and maistresse Of al this world, and eek governouresse Of hevene.
b
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.4312 : Iuno..Gouerneresse and goddesse off the hair.
c
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)4.2329 : Lat discrecioun been your gouerneresse.
- c1450(c1370) Chaucer Pity (Benson-Robinson)80 : Shal Cruelte be your governeresse?
- c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)6 : I [Grace dieu] am douhter to the emprour that is lord aboue alle oothere..I am gouernouresse of alle thinge.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)9777 : Thy sawle ys cheff maryner, Ledere & governeresse Off thy body.
2.
(a) A female guardian, governess; (b) fig. protectress, keeper.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1422) Hoccl.JWife (Dur-U Cosin V.3.9)298 : A yong doghtir haue I..Of which I wolde..Thow tooke on thee to be gouerneresse, And teche hire, as longith to a Maistresse Þat Lordes children han in gouernaill.
b
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.Letab.(Hrl 2255)114 : Off Isaak seed, of Iacob our day sterre, Geyn worldly trouble our gouerneresse [vr. gouernresse].
- c1450(a1449) Lydg.Prayer MQH (Tan 110(2))15 : Queen of heuene..In gostly woundes be ther gouerneresse [vr. gouerners] To thy v Ioies þat haue deuocioun.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)12782 : I [Gluttony] am..Off Epicuris chyldre dere, Verray moder and maystresse, And off that sorte gouerneresse.