ayah

noun

ˈī-ə How to pronounce ayah (audio)
ˈä-yə,
-(ˌ)yä
: a nurse or maid native to India

Word History

Etymology

Hindi & Urdu āyā, from Portuguese aia, from Latin avia grandmother

First Known Use

1779, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ayah was in 1779

Dictionary Entries Near ayah

Cite this Entry

“Ayah.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ayah. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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