LADY

in Great Britain, a general title for any peeress below the rank of duchess and also for the wife of a baronet or knight. It is ordinarily used as a less formal alternative to the full title of a marchioness, countess, or viscountess; where the name is territorial, the of is droppedthus, the marchioness of A., but Lady A. The daughters of dukes, marquesses, and earls also have, by courtesy, the title of lady prefixed to their Christian name and surname, e.g., Lady Jane Grey. The style of address is used to refer to the wives of baronets and knights; but, whereas The Lady A. is the style reserved for the wives of peers, the definite article is not used in referring to the wives of baronets and knights. See also lord.