madam

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

In Plymouth, Massachusetts, and in some neighboring places, it has been and still is the practice, to prefix to the name of a deceased female of some consideration, as the parson's, the deacon's or the doctor's wife, the title of Madam.--Kendall's Travels, Vol. II. p. 44. "This practice," says Mr. Pickering, "like that of giving magistrates the title of 'squire, prevails in most of the country towns of New England; but is scarcely known in the sea-port towns.--Vocabulary.

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