housemother

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

From house + mother. First use appears c. 1822. See cite below.

You can do your work so much better if you’ve had a good bout of play first.” “If you are going to marry a minister,” said Aunt Jamesina, picking up Joseph and her knitting and resigning herself to the inevitable with the charming grace that made her the queen of housemothers, “you will have to give up such expressions as ‘dig in.’” “Why?” moaned Phil. — Anne of the Island, L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery

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