[syn: madam, brothel keeper]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Madam \Mad"am\, n.; pl. Madams, or Mesdames. [See Madame.]
1. A gentlewoman; -- an appellation or courteous form of
address given to a lady, especially an elderly or a
married lady; -- much used in the address, at the
beginning of a letter, to a woman. The corresponding word
in addressing a man is Sir; often abbreviated ma'am when
used as a term of address.
[1913 Webster]
2. The woman who is in charge of a household.
[PJC]
3. The woman who is in charge of a brothel.
[PJC]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
madam
n 1: a woman of refinement; "a chauffeur opened the door of the
limousine for the grand lady" [syn: dame, madam,
ma'am, lady, gentlewoman]
2: a woman who runs a house of prostitution [syn: madam,
brothel keeper]