I. ˈgəvə(r)nə̇s noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English gouvernesse, from Middle French governeresse, from governeor governor + -esse -ess — more at governor
1. : a woman that governs : a female governor
his mother was named by the states Governess of the United Provinces — Charles Butler †1832
a shining example to governesses of religious houses — Ann Radcliffe
the moon, the governess of floods — Shakespeare
2. : a woman entrusted with the care and supervision of a child or young person ; especially : a female teacher employed in a private household
my education and that of my brothers had been generally superintended … by a succession of governesses — Caroline Gilman
3. archaic : the wife of a governor
introduced by the … Governess at Madras — Benjamin Heyne
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
intransitive verb
: to act or serve as a governess
she's going to governess in Winnipeg — Agnes Macdonald
transitive verb
1. : to act as governess to : instruct
and governesses her brother's rising family — Tait's Magazine
2. : to subject to or as if to the authority and instruction of a governess
if you persist in governessing people — G.B.Shaw