Definition of GOVERNESS

governess

Plural: governesses

Noun

  • a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child (especially in a private home)
  • A woman paid to educate children in their own home.
  • A female governor.
  • The wife of a governor.

Verb

  • bring into conformity with rules or principles or usage; impose regulations
  • direct or strongly influence the behavior of
  • exercise authority over; as of nations
  • require to be in a certain grammatical case, voice, or mood
  • To work as governess; to educate children in their own home.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English governesse, a contracted form of governeresse, from Old French governeresse (“female ruler or administrator”). In later senses, equivalent to govern(or) + -ess.

Antonyms

deregulate

Scrabble Score: 13

governess: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
governess: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
governess: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

governess: valid Words With Friends Word