Ma
[mɑː] or [mɑ]
Definition
(n.) A child's word for mother.
(n.) In Oriental countries, a respectful form of address given to a woman; mother.
(conj.) But; -- used in cautionary phrases; as, "Vivace, ma non troppo presto" (i. e., lively, but not too quick).
Editor: Nancy
Examples
- May I ask how old he is, ma'am? Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- And what do you call these little fellows, ma'am? Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- You needn't, if you don't like, ma'am,' was his answer. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Hush, hush, ma'am; pray keep yourself quiet,' replied the bodyguard. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Being delivered into the charge of the ma?tresse, I was led through a long narrow passage into a foreign kitchen, very clean but very strange. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- You've hit it, ma'am: it's quite certain that it was her, and nobody but her, that set it going. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Is our dress a pit-dress or a gallery-dress ma'am? Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- But there's not a dozen men amoong 'em, ma'am—a dozen? Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- Then suppose you try, ma'am,' said Bounderby, laying an envelope with a cheque in it in her little basket. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- Oh there's Ma speaking to the man at the piano! Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- She said to me in a low voice, Don't mind him, ma'am. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- If the question concerned an outfit for Borrioboola, Ma would know all about it and would be quite excited. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- This is the Fleet, ma'am. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- He has been talking off and on about such like all day, ma'am, said Jenny softly. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- No other, ma'am,' replied Mr. Pickwick, bowing very low. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- There was a pleased bustle all though the Shelby mansion, that day, in expectation of the arrival of young Mas'r George. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- I'm glad Mas'r didn't go off this morning, as he looked to, said Tom; that ar hurt me more than sellin', it did. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Tom looked surprised, and rather hurt, and said, I never drink, Mas'r. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Felt Him in my soul, Mas'r,--feel Him now! Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Lord bless us, Mas'r, said Sam, in a tone of the deepest concern, and me that has been racin' and chasin' till the sweat jest pours off me! Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- I think so, Mas'r, said Tom; the poor crittur's sick and feeble; 't would be downright cruel, and it's what I never will do, nor begin to. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- It's very likely, Mas'r, said Tom, calmly. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Yes, Mas'r, said Dodo, submissively; he got that dust on his own self. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- It's Mas'r Davy! Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- And didn't I car Mas'r Haley night five miles out of de road, dis evening, or else he'd a come up with Lizy as easy as a dog arter a coon. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Well, Mas'r Jaggers, said Mike, wiping his nose on his fur cap this time; in a general way, anythink. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Ye an't 'fended, Mas'r George? Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Mas'r, let me lone for dat, said Sambo, I'll tree de coon. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Here the boys called out that Mas'r Haley was coming, and then an unceremonious kick pushed open the door. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- I allays have thought that Mas'r would be good to everybody. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Editor: Val