landlady
Meaning
a woman who rents land, a building, or accommodation to tenants.
a woman who owns or runs a boarding house, inn, or pub.
Structure
Usage
the landlady was very strict about noise after 10 pm.
we complained to the landlady about the leaking roof.
she became a landlady after inheriting the apartment building from her father.
Etymology
the word 'landlady' is a transparent compound formed within english from two native germanic elements. the first element, 'land', derives from proto-germanic landą, meaning "land" or "ground," and has retained its core semantic connection to property and territory throughout its history. the second element, 'lady', originates from old english 'hlæfdige', a compound of 'hlāf' (loaf, bread) and dīg (knead), literally meaning "bread-kneader" or "one who prepares bread," which evolved to signify a woman in a position of authority within a household. by the late old english period, the compound 'landlady' emerged logically to denote a woman who owns land or property and holds authority over it, specifically in the capacity of renting it out, a meaning that has remained consistent into modern usage.
Analysis
land: from old english 'land', meaning "ground, soil, territory". it functions as the core noun, indicating the property or real estate involved. lady: from old english 'hlæfdige', meaning "female head of a household, mistress". it functions as the agent noun, specifying the female gender and role of the owner or manager.