mother-in-law

noun

Etymology: From Middle English moder in lawe; equivalent to mother + -in-law.

1. The mother of one's spouse.

   “For I am come to ſet a man at variance* againſt his father, ⁊ the daughter againſt her mother, and the daughter in law againſt her mother in law.”

   “Odontophobia, or the fear of dental work, seems equally plausible, as does pentheraphobia - fear of the mother-in-law.”

2. A mother-in-law apartment.
3. A mother-in-law sandwich.
4. A stepmother.

   “Do but consider, my dear Mr. Dashwood, how excessively comfortable your mother-in-law and her daughters may live on the interest of seven thousand pounds,”

5. A spicy Caribbean sauce made with peppers, carrots, onions, lime juice, etc.