grandam

noun

gran·​dam ˈgran-ˌdam 

-dəm

1

or grandame

ˈgran-ˌdām 

a

: grandmother

b

: an old woman

2

or granddam

ˈgran-ˌdam 

-dəm

: a dam's or sire's dam

—used of an animal

Word History

Etymology

Middle English graundam, from Anglo-French graund dame, literally, great lady

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

grandam

noun

gran·​dam ˈgran-ˌdam 

-dəm

variants or grandame

-ˌdām 

-dəm

1

: grandmother sense 1

2

: an old woman