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

“And to defend the right of her mamma and papa to do all that they can for her.”

From Seattle Times

“No mamma must be forced to interrupt nursing to return to work, no women should be denied this possibility,” she said.

From Washington Times

“If we want healthy babies, we have to have healthy mammas — and that is so important,” said Republican state Sen. Elaine Gannon, one of the sponsors of the Missouri legislation.

From Seattle Times

Both stressed that it’s the kind of film that should inspire groups and families to come out to the theater and the never-before-seen trailer promised that it is “not your mamma’s ‘Color Purple’.”

From Seattle Times

“Some of the artists even call me mamma,” she said.

From New York Times