English
governess
Governess comes from Old French governeresse ‘female ruler or administrator’.
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400governeresse‘female ruler or administrator’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500governesse
- Englishearliest quotation 1697governess
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400governeresse‘female ruler or administrator’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500governesse
- Englishearliest quotation 1697governess
Earliest quotation: 1697, The Ingenious and Diverting Letters of t, London: […] Samuel Crouch […]: “The Lady Governeſs of the Town drew near to…”
Formed from governor + -ess
Ancient Greek κυβερνάω ‘to steer, pilot’
Latin gubernō ‘to pilot, steer; to govern’
Latin gubernator ‘helmsman; governor’
Old French gouvreneur
Middle English governour
English governor
The story
In later senses, equivalent to govern(or) + -ess.
Every English word from Old French governeresse
Today it means
noun A woman paid to educate children in their own home.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old French governeresse / governess