Mary
[ mair-ee ]
/ ˈmɛər i /
noun
Also called Virgin Mary.
the mother of Jesus.
the sister of Lazarus and Martha. Luke 10:38–42; John 11:1,2.
Princess Victoria Mary of Teck,1867–1953,
Queen of England 1910–36 (wife of George V).
Slang: Sometimes Disparaging and Offensive.
a term used to refer to or address a male homosexual (sometimes used facetiously).
a female given name.
Origin of Mary
before 1000; Middle English
Marie, Old English
Maria < Late Latin < Greek < Hebrew
Miryām
usage note for Mary
When referring to a male homosexual, the term
Mary can be contemptuous. However, even in direct address, it is more often used for humorous effect, without intent to offend. In fact,
Mary is a term sometimes adopted by gays themselves to address a gay man.
Definition for mary (2 of 4)
Mary I
noun
Bloody Mary,1516–58,
queen of England 1553–58 (wife of Philip II of Spain; daughter of Henry VIII).
Also called
Mary Tudor.
Definition for mary (3 of 4)
Mary II
noun
1662–94,
queen of England 1689–94: joint ruler with her husband William III (daughter of James II).
Definition for mary (4 of 4)
Mary, Queen of Scots
noun
Mary Stuart,1542–87,
queen of Scotland 1542–67; beheaded for plotting to assassinate her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.
Example sentences from the Web for mary
British Dictionary definitions for mary (1 of 5)
Mary
1
/ (ˈmɛərɪ) /
noun
original name Princess Mary of Teck. 1867–1953, queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1910–36) by marriage to George V
British Dictionary definitions for mary (2 of 5)
Mary
2
/ (ˈmɛərɪ) /
noun
New Testament
- Saint Mary or the Virgin Mary the mother of Jesus, believed to have conceived and borne him while still a virgin; she was married to Joseph (Matthew 1:18–25). Major feast days: Feb 2, Mar 25, May 31, Aug 15, Sept 8
- the sister of Martha and Lazarus (Luke 10:38–42; John 11:1–2)
plural Maries Australian obsolete, derogatory, slang
an Aboriginal woman or girl
British Dictionary definitions for mary (3 of 5)
Mary I
noun
family name Tudor, known as Bloody Mary. 1516–58, queen of England (1553–58). The daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, she married Philip II of Spain in 1554. She restored Roman Catholicism to England and about 300 Protestants were burnt at the stake as heretics
British Dictionary definitions for mary (4 of 5)
Mary II
noun
1662–94, queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1689–94), ruling jointly with her husband William III. They were offered the crown by parliament, which objected to the arbitrary rule of her father James II
British Dictionary definitions for mary (5 of 5)
Mary, Queen of Scots
noun
family name Stuart. 1542–87, queen of Scotland (1542–67); daughter of James V of Scotland and Mary of Guise. She was married to Francis II of France (1558–60), her cousin Lord Darnley (1565–67), and the Earl of Bothwell (1567–71), who was commonly regarded as Darnley's murderer. She was forced to abdicate in favour of her son (later James VI of Scotland) and fled to England. Imprisoned by Elizabeth I until 1587, she was beheaded for plotting against the English crown