Governess
noun
A woman hired to educate children in a private household.
She was employed as a governess to teach the children English and Mathematics.
Often appears as...
- private governess
- governess of the children
noun
A woman who is in control or in charge of something.
As the governess of the estate, she handled all the administrative tasks.
Often appears as...
- governess of the estate
- act as a governess
noun
A word used in the past to describe a woman who ruled a country, similar to a queen.
In the past, the title of governess was given to the woman ruling the land.
Often appears as...
- governess of the land
- reign as a governess
Usage tips
Historical
noun
A woman hired to educate children in a private household.
She was employed as a governess to teach the children English and Mathematics.
Often appears as...
- private governess
- governess of the children
noun
A woman who is in control or in charge of something.
As the governess of the estate, she handled all the administrative tasks.
Often appears as...
- governess of the estate
- act as a governess
noun
A word used in the past to describe a woman who ruled a country, similar to a queen.
In the past, the title of governess was given to the woman ruling the land.
Often appears as...
- governess of the land
- reign as a governess
Usage tips
Historical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Period Usage
The term is more common in literature from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Jane Eyre worked as a governess in Charlotte Brontë's novel.
Pro Tip 2/3Cultural Role
Governesses were often seen in British upper-class homes.
In Victorian England, a governess was an essential part of wealthy households.
Pro Tip 3/3Not a Nanny
A governess focuses on education, while a nanny provides general child care.
While Mrs. Smith takes care of the children's meals and clothes, the governess handles their lessons.
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Video examples
The genius of Marie...
By saving money and working as a governess and tutor, she eventually was able to move to Paris to study at the reputed Sorbonne. There, Marie earned both a physics and mathematics degree surviving largely on bread and tea, and sometimes fainting from near starvation.
Video examples
How the jump rope got...
The rope became a big thing when women's clothes became more fitted and the pantaloon came into being. And so, girls were able to jump rope because their skirts wouldn't catch the ropes. Governesses used it to train their wards to jump rope.
Video examples
The genius of Marie...
By saving money and working as a governess and tutor, she eventually was able to move to Paris to study at the reputed Sorbonne. There, Marie earned both a physics and mathematics degree surviving largely on bread and tea, and sometimes fainting from near starvation.
Video examples
How the jump rope got...
The rope became a big thing when women's clothes became more fitted and the pantaloon came into being. And so, girls were able to jump rope because their skirts wouldn't catch the ropes. Governesses used it to train their wards to jump rope.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Sarah MacLean
American Author
There is perhaps no more rewarding romance heroine than she who is not expected to find love. The archetype comes in many disguises - the wallflower, the spinster, the governess, the single mom - but always with one sad claim: Love is not in her cards.
Quote examples
Tim Hunt
British Scientist
My education started with Latin taught at home by a governess, I can't imagine why, and for some reason I attended the Infants Department of the Oxford High School for Girls before moving to the Dragon School at the dangerous age of 8 or so.
Quote examples
Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark
Royalty
My mum had me brought up by nannies and governesses. I didn't have much to do with my parents until I was 21.
Quote examples
Sarah MacLean
American Author
There is perhaps no more rewarding romance heroine than she who is not expected to find love. The archetype comes in many disguises - the wallflower, the spinster, the governess, the single mom - but always with one sad claim: Love is not in her cards.
Quote examples
Tim Hunt
British Scientist
My education started with Latin taught at home by a governess, I can't imagine why, and for some reason I attended the Infants Department of the Oxford High School for Girls before moving to the Dragon School at the dangerous age of 8 or so.
Quote examples
Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark
Royalty
My mum had me brought up by nannies and governesses. I didn't have much to do with my parents until I was 21.
Example 1 of 3
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