| 释义 |
‖ ayah|ˈaɪə|
Also in 8 eyah.
[a. āya, āyā (in various Indian vernaculars), a. Pg. aia (= Sp. aya, It. aja) nurse, children's governess, fem. of aio (Sp. ayo, It. ajo) a tutor. Introduced by the Portuguese into India, where adopted in Anglo-Indian from the vernaculars.]
A native nurse or maidservant, esp. of Europeans in India and other parts of South Asia.
1782India Gaz. 12 Oct., Eyah..5 Rupees a month. 1810T. Williamson E. Ind. Vade M. I. 337 The female who attends a lady while she is dressing, etc. is called an Ayah. 1813Mrs. Sherwood Ayah & Lady i. 7 This Lady paid her Ayah seven rupees per month. 1848Chambers Alfred in Ind. 18 Ayahs, or ladies'-maids, who take care of very young children. 1852Lond. Jrnl. 9 Oct. 66 Ellen's ayah or native nurse who had accompanied her to England. |