'Dame' is the female equivalent of address to
Sir for a
British knighthood. In the UK honours system, this can be the title of a woman who has been awarded the
Order of the Bath,
Order of St Michael and St George,
Royal Victorian Order, or
Order of the British Empire.
Because there is no female equivalent of a
Knight Bachelor, women deserving an honor of this rank are appointed Dames of the Order of the British Empire instead.
Formerly, the wife of a knight was called a Dame, but this usage was replaced by "Lady" during the 17th century.
Quotations
★ "It [becoming a dame] means you've got to behave very well. That's very, very boring." Dame
Judi Dench [1]
★ "My street cred is gone." Dame
Helen Mirren on becoming a dame
[2]
Further
★ The youngest person to receive a damehood is Dame
Ellen MacArthur at 28. The eldest was Dame
Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies, who received hers at the age of 100.
Notes
1. http://www.djdchronology.com/iristribune.htm|
2. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/12359800/
See also
★
Dame for other meanings
★
Knight