-graphy
combining form in nouns denoting:
1 a descriptive science : geography.
2 a technique of producing images : radiography.
3 a style or method of writing or drawing : calligraphy.
• writing about (a specified subject) : hagiography.
• a written or printed list : filmography.
ORIGIN from or suggested by Greek -graphia ‘writing.’
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Friday, 20 March 2009 18:29
"Miss Heather, can I call you Mistress Heather?"
"No. Absolutely not."
"No? Really?"
"No, I wouldn't like that."
"Why not?"
"Well because the term mistress negatively implies involvement in an extramarital affair and I don't like it."
"But I would like to call you that, I think it sounds cool."
Being a reasonable school teacher, I look it up:
| 1. | a woman who has authority, control, or power, esp. the female head of a household, institution, or other establishment. |
| 2. | a woman employing, or in authority over, servants or attendants. |
| 3. | a female owner of an animal, or formerly, a slave. |
| 4. | a woman who has the power of controlling or disposing of something at her own pleasure: mistress of a great fortune. |
| 5. | (sometimes initial capital letter ) something regarded as feminine that has control or supremacy: Great Britain, the mistress of the seas. |
| 6. | a women who is skilled in something, as an occupation or art. |
| 7. | a woman who has a continuing, extramarital sexual relationship with one man, esp. a man who, in return for an exclusive and continuing liaison, provides her with financial support. |
| 8. | British. a female schoolteacher; schoolmistress. |
| 9. | (initial capital letter) a term of address in former use and corresponding to Mrs., Miss, or Ms. |
| 10. | Archaic. sweetheart. |
Forced to change my opinion and reclaim the power of the term mistress (I am less worldly and cultured than I would like to be), I don the title for the rest of the afternoon quite comfortably. I just need a new dress to really rock the profile of Mistress Heather so THANK GOD IT'S PAYDAY!!!
PEACE!