ˈgəvə(r)nənt, | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|nänt noun
or gou·ver·nante ˈgüv-, |güv-
( -s )
Etymology: French gouvernante, from feminine of gouvernant, present participle of gouverner to govern, administer, bring up, from Old French governer — more at govern
1. archaic : a woman having charge of a young person : chaperon 2, governess 2
attended by … an old gentlewoman for her governante — Jedidiah Morse
2. archaic : the mistress of a household : housekeeper
3. obsolete : governess 1
the government devolved upon the princess, as governante during her son's minority — Tobias Smollett