n.
Pronunciation: ˌ mad-mw ə - ' zel, ˌ ma-d ə -, -m ə - ' zel, sometimes mam- ' zel
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural ma · de · moi · selles \ - ' zelz \ or mes · de · moi · selles \ ˌ m ā d-mw ə - ' zel, ˌ m ā -d ə -, -m ə - ' zel \
Etymology: Middle English madamoiselle, from Middle French, from Old French ma damoisele, literally, my (young) lady
Date: 15th century
1 : an unmarried French girl or woman ― used as a title equivalent to Miss for an unmarried woman not of English-speaking nationality
2 : a French governess
3 : SILVER PERCH A