Search Result for "madams": 

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Madam \Mad"am\, n.; pl. Madams, or Mesdames. [See Madame.] 1. A gentlewoman; -- an appellation or courteous form of address given to a lady, especially an elderly or a married lady; -- much used in the address, at the beginning of a letter, to a woman. The corresponding word in addressing a man is Sir; often abbreviated ma'am when used as a term of address. [1913 Webster] 2. The woman who is in charge of a household. [PJC] 3. The woman who is in charge of a brothel. [PJC]