amah

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A woman employed to look after children; (formerly) a wet nurse.
  2. A female domestic helper; a maid.

Pronunciation

/ˈɑː.mə/ /ˈɑː.mɑ/

Word forms

amah amahs ama

Etymology

From Portuguese ama (“female nurse”), from Medieval Latin amma (“wet nurse, amma”), perhaps an alteration of Latin mamma, of imitative origin, or from Ancient Greek.

Related words

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