amah
|a-mah|
B2
/ˈɑː.mə/
female domestic servant
Etymology
Etymology Information
'amah' originates from the Portuguese word 'ama', which means 'nurse' or 'nanny'.
Historical Evolution
'ama' was adopted into English from the Portuguese during the colonial period in Asia, eventually becoming 'amah'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'nurse' or 'nanny', but over time it evolved to refer to a female domestic servant in Asia.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a female servant in South Asia or China, often responsible for domestic tasks or childcare.
The family hired an amah to help with the household chores.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/07 09:06