Dame (Lat. domina, 'a mistress'), a title of honour which long distinguished high-born ladies from the wives of citizens and of the commonality in general, and which still is the accurate title of a knight's wife (see also BARONET). In the age of chivalry, it was customary even for a queen to be so called by her chosen knight ('the dame of his heart, of his thoughts,' &c.). In consequence of the greater courtesy shown towards women of higher rank, arose the custom of prefixing the word ma to dame, as a special proof of veneration and homage. Hence, too, the Virgin-mother was called in France Notre Dame ('Our Lady', as if no single Christian could exclusively claim the privilege of serving her with the homage of his heart). The daughters of the king of France, as soon as they came into the world, were called Madame; and this was also the sole title of the wife of the king's eldest brother. In England, the word Dame, though not much used, is now applied to married women of all classes; but has recently acquired a special significance in connection with the Primrose League (q.v.). It is also applied specially to the mistress of a small elementary school, especially if elderly and ignorant. Madame is shortened into Madam, a usual term of address for ladies in general, but still also a word of honour, applicable, in particular cases, to majesty itself. Thus Tennyson in dedicating his poems to Queen Victoria, speaks as a chivalrous troubadour might have done—
Take, Madam, this poor book of song.