A respectful or formal way of addressing a noblewoman or woman of high social rank; used as a courtesy title.
From French 'ma' (my) + 'lady,' adopted into English during the medieval period. It became the standard respectful form of address for titled or wealthy women, similar to how 'monsieur' addresses men.
Milady is just 'my lady' squeezed into one fancy word—which is why in old books everyone's always saying 'milady this' and 'milady that' when they're being extra polite to important women.
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