mamma

¹

[ mah-muh, muh-mah ]

noun

1. mama.

mamma

²

[ mam-uh ]

noun

, plural mam·mae [mam, -ee]

1. Anatomy, Zoology. a structure, characteristic of mammals, that comprises one or more mammary glands with an associated nipple or teat, usually rudimentary unless developed and activated for the secretion of milk in the female after the birth of young.
2. Meteorology. (used with a plural verb) the hanging protuberances of a mammatus, on the undersurface of a thunderstorm cloud:

   The mamma in this formation are distinctly ominous.

mamma

¹

/ ˈmæmə /

noun

1. the milk-secreting organ of female mammals: the breast in women, the udder in cows, sheep, etc
2. functioning as plural breast-shaped protuberances, esp from the base of cumulonimbus clouds

mamma

²

noun

1. Alsomommaˈmɑːməməˈmɑː another word for mother 1
2. informal.
   ˈmɑːmə a buxom and voluptuous woman

Word History and Origins

Origin of mamma¹

First recorded before 1050; Middle English, from Latin: “breast, teat” (whence Old English mamme “teat”); mamma ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of mamma¹

C17: from Latin: breast

Origin of mamma²

C16: reduplication of childish syllable ma; compare Welsh mam, French maman, Russian mama

Example Sentences

Take, for instance, Yiddish Mamma, a young Parisian brand that peddles its wares with love and humour.

From The Daily Beast

His other films include Mrs. Doubtfire, Mamma Mia, and The Thomas Crown Affair.

From The Daily Beast

When Retsky showed the pathology report to William Hrushesky, his treating oncologist, the doctor exclaimed, “Mamma mia.”

From The Daily Beast

Manolakos, best known for playing Sophie Sheridan in Mamma Mia!

From The Daily Beast

In May 2010, an embarrassing audition tape surfaced online that Klein had shot years earlier for Mamma Mia!

From The Daily Beast

They were standing over the cots in the nursery late at night, and I think that Mamma was crying softly.

From Project Gutenberg

The day before the steamer reached Southampton, Mamma asked her if she would not like to see the ayah again.

From Project Gutenberg

It was then that he heard for the first time Mamma's passionate appeal to him never to let Judy forget Mamma.

From Project Gutenberg

"The worst of it is that the children will grow up away from me," thought Mamma; but she did not say it aloud.

From Project Gutenberg

But Mamma and Papa and Judy had quitted the cab, and all the luggage was being taken into the house.

From Project Gutenberg