Meaning
MIS'TRESS, n. [L. magistra.]
1. A woman who governs; correlative to servant, slave, or subject.
My mistress here lies murdered in her bed.
2. The female head of a family.
3. That which governs; a sovereign. Rome was mistress of the world.
4. One that commands, or has possession and sovereignty. The queen is mistress of the Indies.
5. A female who is well skilled in any thing; as, she is mistress of arithmetic.
6. A woman teacher; an instructress of a school.
7. A woman beloved and courted.
8. A woman in keeping for lewd purposes.
9. A term of contemptuous address.
MIS'TRESS, v.t. To wait upon a mistress; to be courting.
