governess

[ guhv-er-nis ]

/ ˈgʌv ər nɪs /

a woman who is employed to take charge of a child's upbringing, education, etc.

Archaic. a woman who is a ruler or governor.

Origin of governess

1400–50; late Middle English governeress < Old French gouverneresse, feminine of gouverneur governor; see -ess

See -ess.

gov·er·ness·y, adjective sub·gov·ern·ess, noun un·der·gov·ern·ess, noun

Governess: A young woman who was typically employed by wealthy families to care for and privately educate their children.

‘Dark Shadows’ for Dummies or a Glossary of Key Names and Places |Jace Lacob |May 11, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Victoria Winters: An orphan who is engaged by the Collins family as a governess for young David Collins.

‘Dark Shadows’ for Dummies or a Glossary of Key Names and Places |Jace Lacob |May 11, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
The girl would become Victoria Winters, an orphan hired by the Collins Family as a governess for the troubled young heir.

‘Dark Shadows’ for Dummies or a Glossary of Key Names and Places |Jace Lacob |May 11, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Later she got a job as governess to the illegitimate children that Louis XIV had fathered with another mistress.

The Best of Brit Lit |Peter Stothard |March 5, 2010 |DAILY BEAST

Miss Winstead, the governess, resumed her letter, and a clock on the mantelpiece struck out seven silvery chimes.

Daddy's Girl |L. T. Meade
Glancing idly into her mirror, she saw far away, like a little moving picture, the governess cart come into view.

Manslaughter |Alice Duer Miller
When she stammered in reading, the governess looked at the prince and laughed aloud.

Memoirs of Leonora Christina |Leonora Christina Ulfeldt
And now here come all my governess troubles back upon my shoulders once more.

Faith and Unfaith |Duchess
You read my credentials—you inquired as to my former situations at the Governess Institute where you engaged me.

A Coin of Edward VII |Fergus Hume

governess

/ (ˈɡʌvənɪs) /

a woman teacher employed in a private household to teach and train the children