forelady

[ fawr-ley-dee, fohr- ]

noun

, plural fore·la·dies.

1. a forewoman.

Sensitive Note

See lady.

Word History and Origins

Origin of forelady¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; fore- + lady

Example Sentences

One day Katie, falling back on a woman’s always-respected excuse, told her forelady that it was her time of the month; she didn’t feel so good.

From Literature

Just then the locker room door opened and a forelady came in.

From Project Gutenberg

The whim of a foreman or forelady, a day's sickness, a slackening in the trade, and she might be thrown out on the street.

From Project Gutenberg

It was almost twelve o'clock and no harm in calling the "forelady" in the cotton blouse department of the big factory.

From Project Gutenberg

And it was worth climbing five flights to have Miss Cross for a forelady.

From Project Gutenberg