femme de chambre

/ fam də ʃɑ̃brə /

noun

1. a chambermaid
2. rare.
   a personal maid

Word History and Origins

Origin of femme de chambre¹

C18: woman of the bedroom

Example Sentences

Would the reader like to know how affairs go on in a court governed by a mistress, then let him ponder this one sample anecdote, related by the femme de chambre of Madame de Pompadour, showing how she, femme de chambre as she was, obtained a lieutenant's commission in the army for one of her relations.

From Project Gutenberg

Pressed by my family," the femme de chambre relates, "who could not conceive that, in the position in which I was, it could be difficult for me to procure a trifling commission for a good soldier, I asked it directly from the minister himself.

From Project Gutenberg

"I would not be the 'femme de chambre' even of the queen."

From Project Gutenberg

Ambrizette, with rolling eyes and open mouth, had everything in readiness for her in her dressing-room, for the hideous dwarf was indeed a very efficient femme de chambre.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a long expedition to visit the march� aux fleurs on the distant quay near Notre Dame; and though its beauty and its fragrance might well repay an hour or two stolen from the pillow, the sweet decorations it offered to the boudoir must have been oftener selected by the ma�tre d'h�tel or the femme de chambre than by the fair lady herself.

From Project Gutenberg