stepdame

[ step-deym ]

noun

, Archaic.

1. a stepmother.

stepdame

/ ˈstɛpˌdeɪm /

noun

1. an archaic word for stepmother

Word History and Origins

Origin of stepdame¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; step-, dame

Word History and Origins

Origin of stepdame¹

C14: from step- + dame (in the archaic sense: mother; see dam ²)

Example Sentences

And if thou love thyself, or loved'st me, These O protect from stepdame's injury.

From Slate

"Nature, poor stepdame, cannot slake my drouth," said another poet, "never did any milk of hers once bless my thirsting mouth."

From Project Gutenberg

Thou must toil up Those mountain-tops that neighbour with the stars, And tread the south way, and draw near, at last, The Amazonian host that hateth man, Inhabitants of Themiscyra, close Upon Thermodon, where the sea's rough jaw Doth gnash at Salmydessa and provide A cruel host to seamen, and to ships A stepdame.

From Project Gutenberg

She, guiltless damsel, flying the mad pursuit Of her enraged stepdame Guendolin, Commended her fair innocence to the flood, That stay’d her flight with his cross-flowing course.

From Project Gutenberg

Death is the gift most welcome to my woe, And such a gift a stepdame may bestow.

From Project Gutenberg