housemother
|house-moth-er|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈhaʊsˌmʌðər/
🇬🇧
/ˈhaʊsˌmʌðə/
supervisory caregiver
Etymology
Etymology Information
'housemother' originates from the combination of 'house' and 'mother', where 'house' refers to a dwelling and 'mother' implies a nurturing or supervisory role.
Historical Evolution
'housemother' has remained relatively unchanged in its form and meaning since its inception in English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a woman who acts as a mother in a house', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a woman employed in a dormitory, sorority, or similar institution to supervise and care for the residents.
The housemother ensured that all the students were back in the dorm by curfew.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45