/mad'euh meuh zel", mad'mweuh-, mam zel"/ ; Fr. /mannd mwann zel"/ , n. , pl. mademoiselles /mad'euh meuh zelz", mad'mweuh-, mam zelz"/ , mesdemoiselles /may'deuh meuh zel", mayd'mweuh zel"/ ; Fr. /mayd mwann zel"/ .
1. ( often cap. ) a French title of respect equivalent to "Miss", used in speaking to or of a girl or unmarried woman: Mademoiselle Lafitte. Abbr.: Mlle.
2. a French governess.
3. See silver perch (def. 1).
[ 1635-45; ma damoisele my noble young lady; see MADAME, DAMSEL ]