young ladyn.
/ˌjʌŋ ˈleɪdi/, U.S. /ˌjəŋ ˈleɪdi/ 1.
a. A young woman, a girl; (formerly) esp. one of high social status.From the 17th cent. to the 19th cent. sometimes used to connote variously the superficiality and sentimentality, or stiffness and propriety, regarded as characteristic of young ladies. In the 19th and 20th centuries often with particular implications or connotations of social class, and avoided or preferred accordingly; see, for example, quots. 1856 and 1886. N.E.D. (1921) notes: ‘this expression is now avoided in polite use, except among some old-fashioned speakers and jocularly... At the present day, the term is frequently applied, with the intention of avoiding the supposed derogatory implication of young woman, to female shop assistants or clerks of good appearance and manners’. See also note at lady n. 5a.
ΘΠ
the world > people > person > young person > young woman > [noun]
daughterOE
maidenOE
young womanOE
mayc1175
burdc1225
maidc1275
wenchc1290
file1303
virginc1330
girla1375
damselc1380
young ladya1393
jilla1425
juvenclec1430
young person1438
domicellea1464
quean1488
trull1525
pulleta1533
Tib1533
kittyc1560
dell1567
gillian1573
nymph1584
winklota1586
frotion1587
yuffrouw1589
pigeon1592
tit1599
nannicock1600
muggle1608
gixy1611
infanta1611
dilla1627
tittiea1628
whimsy1631
ladykin1632
stammel1639
moggie1648
zitellaa1660
baggagea1668
miss1668
baby1684
burdie1718
demoiselle1720
queanie?1800
intombi1809
muchacha1811
jilt1816
titter1819
ragazza1827
gouge1828
craft1829
meisie1838
sheila1839
sixteenc1840
chica1843
femme1846
muffin1854
gel1857
quail1859
kitten1870
bud1880
fräulein1883
sub-debutante1887
sweet-and-twenty1887
flapper1888
jelly1889
queen1894
chick1899
pusher1902
bit of fluff1903
chicklet1905
twist and twirl1905
twist1906
head1913
sub-deb1916
tabby1916
mouse1917
tittie1918
chickie1919
wren1920
bim1922
nifty1923
quiff1923
wimp1923
bride1924
job1927
junior miss1927
hag1932
tab1932
sort1933
palone1934
brush1941
knitting1943
teenybopper1966
weeny-bopper1972
Valley Girl1982
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) ii. l. 2686 (MED) The yonge ladi was forth fet, To whom the lordes don homage.
a1450 (?a1390) J. Mirk Festial Suppl. (Claud.) (1905) 291 I rede þat þer was an olde knythe and weddud a ȝung ladi.
a1450 Quixley's Ballades in Yorks. Archæol. Jrnl. (1909) 20 44 The yhonge lady then praysed of beautee.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxxix The French kyng, which then claymed to haue the order and mariage of the yonge lady, as a pupille, ward and orphane.
1574 B. Rich Right Exelent Dialogue Mercury & Eng. Souldier sig. Iiiii This younge Lady gouerned her life so modestly al the time of her youth, that her honest chastitie was no lesse commended..then the chaste Lucrecia or Penelope.
1652 R. Boyle Wks. (1772) I. p. l In less than a year, of which not the least part was usurped by frequent sicknesses and journies, by furnaces, and by (which is none of the modestest thieves of time) the conversation of young ladies.
1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode ii. i. 22 Young Ladies, Who notoriously wash, and paint, though they Have naturally good Complexions.
1712 J. Arbuthnot John Bull in his Senses iii. 15 There is nothing so obstinate as Young Ladies in their Amours.
1749 S. Fielding Governess vii. 183 Two young ladies, Lady Caroline and Lady Fanny Delun... Lady Caroline was Fourteen Years of Age,..Lady Fanny..was one Year younger than her Sister.
1824 M. R. Mitford Our Village I. 118 A life, and freedom, and buoyancy, quite unusual in that artificial personage, a young lady.
1842 J. L. Motley Let. 10 Jan. in Corr. (1889) I. iv. 95 I have been young lady enough to keep a journal.
1856 C. J. Lever Martins of Cro' Martin xii. 111 ‘A young lady, did you say, Collins?’ ‘Yes, my Lady.’ ‘Then you were very wrong, Collins. You meant to say a young person.’ ‘Yes, my Lady—a young person, like a lady.’
1886 W. Besant Children of Gibeon I. i. ix. 191 She could be properly described as a Young Girl, which is the general name for the workwoman in youth, but no one would think of calling her a young lady.
1954 K. Amis Let. 18 Oct. (2000) 406 James Bartley had removed his shirt..actually I think to display the grey rug on his chest to the young ladies.
1958 Dominion-News (Morgantown, W. Va.) 3 May 7/5 A transformation is seen in her character as she strives to emerge from..Madge's brainish kid sister who matches the boys in racing and swimming to a young lady, pretty and demure.
2009 K. Holmes Intuitive Children iii. 84 She has grown up into a beautiful, well-natured, caring young lady.
b. As a form of address, esp. when expressing a reproof or warning.Sometimes with patronizing connotations, and now often used by an adult to a girl.
ΘΠ
the world > people > person > young person > young woman > [noun] > as form of address
young lady1662
miss1668
baby1684
kitten1870
1662 R. Codrington tr. G. Ruggle Ignoramus iv. ii. sig. M4 What are you, young Lady? From whence come you, I pray?
1750 Adventures Mr. Loveill II. 76 I love you very well, young lady, and shall prevent your ruining your character.., by affirming things too boldly from authorities you are asham'd of.
1800 R. Houlton Wilmore Castle i. iii. 15 Do, young lady, just try it on before the glass.
1873 W. Black Princess of Thule xxi. 348 ‘Well, young lady..and a pretty mess you have got us into!’
a1933 J. Galsworthy End of Chapter (1934) i. xv. 123 You have pluck, young lady.
1969 A. Bennett Forty Years On i. 27 You button your lip, young lady. Careless talk costs lives.
2001 C. Glazebrook Madolescents 23 I know what your game is, young lady, so I'm telling you. Go to bed. No backchat, just do it.
2. Chiefly with possessive: a person's female lover or sweetheart; a girlfriend; (sometimes) spec. a (young) wife or fiancée. Cf. young woman n. 2, young man n. 5. Now somewhat dated or historical.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > a lover > [noun] > one who is loved or a sweetheart > specifically a female sweetheart or girlfriend
lief971
ladya1393
ladyshipa1393
speciala1400
amiec1400
womanc1400
amoreta1425
mistressc1425
paramoura1450
fair ladya1470
girl?a1513
sooterkin1530
Tib1533
she1547
lady-love1568
jug1569
young lady1584
pigeon1592
love-lass1594
lass1596
dowsabel1612
swainling1615
lucky1629
Dulcinea1638
Lindabrides1640
inamorata1651
baby1684
best girl1691
lady friend1733
young woman1822
moll1823
querida1834
sheila1839
bint1855
tart1864
babykins1870
Dona1874
novia1874
fancy-girl1892
girlfriend1892
cliner1895
tootsy1895
dinah1898
best1904
twist and twirl1905
jane1906
kitten1908
patootie1918
meisie1919
bride1924
gf1925
jelly1931
sort1933
a bit (also piece) of homework1945
beast1946
queen1955
momma1964
mi'jita1970
her indoors1979
girlf1991
1584 T. Lodge Alarum against Vsurers f. 33 Ye two shepherds resorted to their flocks, Arualio altogether amazed at his mistres beautie, and Sotto very iocond he had fitted his young Ladies fancy so well.
1606 N. Breton Choice, Chance, & Change sig. I3 He with his yong Lady, and I with my Mistris fell to such parlee, as we thought best for our purpose.
1680 J. Salgado Fryer ii. 156 The Abbot thinking at last he had staid long enough with his young Lady, opened the Cell door, and returned to his Chamber.
1709 W. Nicolson London Diaries 13 Mar. (1985) 485 After prayers with Mr Browne Willis, and his young Lady.
1786 New-Haven (Connecticut) Gaz. 25 May 117/1 Mr. Peake doubts not but he shall enjoy the fullest satisfaction flowing from the conjugal embraces of his young lady.
1840 F. Trollope One Fault II. vii. 185 Everybody sees, sir, how very, very fond you are of your young lady.
1896 G. B. Shaw You never can Tell iv My wife was like your young lady: she was of a commanding..disposition.
1932 H. V. Morton In Search of Wales ix. 186 ‘And there was a man who came all the way from Cardiff to see the consuriwr about his young lady.’ ‘Really; and what did the consuriwr do about it?’ ‘He said, “Oh, don't marry her or you'll never have a day's happiness”.’
1946 K. Amis Let. 5 Feb. (2000) 37 I hope you had a nice time in London with your young lady, get your end away you old bugar eh, don't look like that.
1971 Daily Mirror 17 Sept. 15/2 I didn't get a chance to explain that his young lady's tights would make a first-class emergency fan belt.
1981 Ploughshares Jan. 149 ‘And do you have a young lady?’.. ‘No... I asked Bessie Thompson to go walking with me and she couldn't.’
2004 Boys Toys July 66/3 We also rather liked the excellent close-up mode (not to be abused in the swimming pool by taking close ups of your young lady's bits).
3. spec. uses of sense 1.
a. With possessive adjective: the young woman or girl upon whom a domestic servant (esp. a maidservant) waits or attends. Cf. young master n. Now rare.
ΚΠ
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear iv. 70 Seruant. Since my yong Ladies going into France sir, the foole hath much pined away. View more context for this quotation
1658 A. Cokayne Small Poems 35 Ask but a Chamber-maid..what her young Lady doth.
1754 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison VII. xv. 84 Her young Lady was so tenacious..of her authority.
1767 A. Murphy School for Guardians iv. iv. 66 I have brought your young lady's wedding-gown.
1847 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) xxiii. 231 ‘Fetch him home,’ said Miss Nipper, with authority, ‘and say that my young lady's here.’
1897 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ Barbara (1898) vii. 91 Barbara's kind heart rejoiced to find that her young lady took an interest in trying on and wearing a second dress which she had finished for her.
1926 E. Wallace Square Emerald xv. 236 She always knew when her young lady was indulging in what Lucretia described as ‘sarc’.
b. A pupil at a girls' boarding school. Usually in plural. Now chiefly archaic and historical.
ΚΠ
1739 Daily Gazetteer 21 June 1/1 I was sent for twenty Miles to a Boarding-school in Wales to free the young Ladies of the Sullens.
1800 E. Darwin Phytologia xviii. 511 The etiolated young ladies of some boarding schools.
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) xvi. 171 The premises of Westgate House Establishment for Young Ladies.
1856 Amy Carlton 42 Miss Colman..pronounced the oracular words, ‘Your lessons, young ladies, immediately’.
1893 N.-Y. Times 23 Apr. 19/6 Our young ladies, without exception, come from the best families of the diocese.
1904 Pall Mall Mag. Dec. 541/1 There had been a breaking-up party on the previous evening, and many of the young ladies had gone to their homes.
2006 L. A. Meyer In Belly of Bloddhound xxiii. 226 A boating party carrying the young ladies of the Lawson Peabody School on an outing apparently foundered on the rocks.
Compounds
attributive. Having or displaying the characteristics associated with young ladies (see note at sense 1a). Also appositive: that is a young lady. Now archaic or historical.
ΚΠ
1748 S. Richardson Clarissa V. xliii. 304 'Tis idle, very idle, to talk of dying. Mere young-lady talk.
1784 R. Bage Barham Downs I. 43 Amongst young-lady-correspondents especially, it is a sort of petty treason, to send blank paper to a friend.
1857 Chambers's Jrnl. 2 May 274/2 My young-lady friends, of from seventeen upwards.
1865 J. S. Le Fanu Guy Deverell I. iii. 42 Beatrix was in a young-lady reverie.
1873 Monthly Packet May 489 Notions of young-lady propriety.
1901 E. A. Ross Social Control xvii. 225 A girl..is impressed at home with the daughter pattern, at school with the pupil pattern; with her teens she is confronted with the young lady type.
1978 H. D. Shapiro Appalachia on our Mind i. 22 This confrontation in the end leaves him healthy, wealthy.., and married to the young-lady writer.
2005 J. Brooks Bouson Jamaica Kincaid iv. 75 The young-lady behavior she was obliged to perform in public.
Derivatives
ˌyoung-ˈladydom n. now rare young ladies collectively; (also) the qualities associated with young ladies.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > young person > young woman > [noun] > young woman collectively
bevyc1430
ragea1450
young ladyhood1843
young-ladydom1845
1845 Emancipator & Weekly Chron. (Boston) 2 Apr. 1/7 It matters very little whether fashionable young ladydom is insulted by his appearance or not.
1866 Sat. Rev. 14 Apr. 439 The virtuous young man..monopolized the sympathies of young-ladydom.
1882 Pall Mall Gaz. 31 Oct. 4/2 A general air of ‘young-ladydom’ prevails, each second name in the catalogue is a Lily or a Jessie or a Letitia.
1998 Scotl. on Sunday (Nexis) 28 June 61 Having been a girl myself, this vision of young ladydom was strangely unfamiliar.
ˌyoung ˈladyhood n. the condition or fact of being a young lady; (also) young ladies collectively.
ΘΠ
the world > people > person > young person > young woman > [noun] > state or quality of being
sweet seventeen1791
young ladyhood1843
young-womanhood1852
young ladyship1856
young ladyishness1867
damselhood1880
flapperhood1905
flapperdom1907
flapperism1909
the world > people > person > young person > young woman > [noun] > young woman collectively
bevyc1430
ragea1450
young ladyhood1843
young-ladydom1845
1843 H. B. Stowe Mayflower 148 The eldest of her charge, at the time this story begins, was a girl just arrived at young-ladyhood, and her name was Mary.
1858 A. Trollope Dr. Thorne III. i. 5 No bevy of Greshamsbury young ladies had fairly represented the Greshamsbury young-ladyhood if Mary Thorne was not there.
1915 L. M. Montgomery Anne of Island xxiii. 203 Charlotta the Fourth had blossomed out into young ladyhood.
2010 Observer (Nexis) 26 Dec. (Mag.) 11 As soon as I turned 10, I was introduced to a hideous, wide-strapped, no-stretch bra that crushed my fantasies of young ladyhood.
ˌyoung-ˈladylike adv. and adj. †(a) adv. in the manner of a young lady (obsolete); (b) adj. resembling or characteristic of a young lady.
ΘΠ
the world > people > person > young person > young woman > [adjective]
maidenly1530
maidenlike1548
maiden1594
young-ladylike1754
sweet sixteen1826
young ladyish1832
young-womanly1836
flapperish1920
teenybop1967
1754 S. Richardson Hist. Sir Charles Grandison VII. xv. 84 Her young Lady was so tenacious, she said (young Lady like) of her authority.
1832 E. FitzGerald Lett. (1889) I. 12 I am sorry to say that I have a very young-lady-like partiality to writing to those that I love.
1852 D. M. Mulock Agatha's Husband iv To judge whether, young-lady-like, she had told his secret to all her female friends.
1913 W. J. Locke Stella Maris xiv. 184 A young lady of young-ladylike accomplishments.
1998 C. L. Linedecker Vampire Killers viii. 197 A pair of handcuffs around her wrists in jarring contrast with the young-ladylike appearance she otherwise projected.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.a1393