Lā'dy, n.

n. [A-S. hlæfdige, hlæfdie, hlāfdie; i. e., hlāfweardige, bread-keeper, from hlāf, bread, loaf, and weardian, to look after, to take care of, to ward; O. Scot. leuedi, Icel. laadi. Cf. LORD.]

1. A woman who looks after the domestic affairs of a family; a mistress; the female head of a household.
2. A woman of social distinction or position; the feminine corresponding to lord. In England, a title prefixed to the name of any woman whose husband is not of lower rank than a knight, or whose father was a nobleman not lower than an earl.
3. A woman of gentle or refined manners; the feminine corresponding to gentleman.
4. A wife, or spouse.

He lost his lady while his boy was still in infancy. W. Scott. Our Lady, the Virgin Mary.