/ ˈgʌvənəs; NAmE -vərn-/ noun
(especially in the past), a woman employed to teach the children of a rich family in their home and to live with them
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (originally governeress , denoting a female ruler): from Old French governeresse , feminine of governeour governor, from Latin gubernator , from gubernare to steer, rule, from Greek kubernan to steer.