(especially in the past) a woman employed to teach the children of a rich family in their home and to live with them (尤指旧时的)家庭女教师 She was educated at home by a series of governesses. 她在家中接受了连续好几个家庭女教师的教育。 She was governess to the three daughters of a wealthy manufacturer. 她是一家富裕制造商的三个女儿的家庭教师。
Word OriginMiddle English (originally governeress, denoting a female ruler): from Old French governeresse, feminine of governeour ‘governor’, from Latin gubernator, from gubernare ‘to steer, rule’, from Greek kubernan ‘to steer’.