ma'am

noun

No English definition recorded for this entry.

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈmæm/ / [ˈmæm] / /ˈmɑːm/

noun

Etymology: The noun is a contraction of madam, and represents a regional pronunciation of that word in the United Kingdom. The verb is derived from the noun.

A form of address for a woman: contraction of madam.
“Madam me no Madam, but learn to retrench your vvords; and ſay Mam; as yes Mam, and no Mam, as other Ladies VVomen do. Madam! 'tis a year in pronouncing.”
“Gad take my Soul, Mame, I hope I ſhall pleaſe you now— […] I vovv to Gad, Mame, I vvas ſo taken up vvith my good Fortune, I did not obſerve the extream Fancy of your Ladiſhip's VVedding-Cloaths— […]”
A polite and formal way to address a woman.
“Ma'am, will you be attending the dinner this evening?”
A respectful term of address to a woman of higher rank or position.
“– Sergeant, have the platoon in formation and ready for inspection at 0800. – Aye aye, ma'am.”
A title for a married woman.
“That is Ma'am Smith, the matriarch of the Smith families.”
“Yes, my dravving-room is an abſolute regiſter-office for candidate actors, and poets vvithout character;—then to be continually alarmed vvith Miſſes and Ma'ams piping hiſteric changes on Juliets and Dorindas, Pollys and Ophelias; […]”
A female schoolteacher; a schoolmarm.

verb

Etymology: The noun is a contraction of madam, and represents a regional pronunciation of that word in the United Kingdom. The verb is derived from the noun.

To address (a woman) as "ma'am".
“["]And, fellas, I've got to tell you that your Texas manners are perfect. Y'all have about ma'amed me to death. But you can call me Lucy from here on out. Got it?" / "Yes, ma'am—I mean, Lucy," Joseph complied, taking the sledgehammer and grinning as he looked from it to the blue wall.”