noun
mistress; kept woman; concubine
Dated term for a woman in a long-term extramarital relationship with a man who supports her financially; similar to 妾 (めかけ).
See also: 妾 (めかけ)
彼はそばめを囲っているらしい。
He seems to be keeping a mistress.
noun
close female servant
Archaic original meaning; a female attendant or personal maid in a noble household.
平安時代の貴族の屋敷には、そばめが何人も仕えていた。
In Heian-period noble residences, several close female servants attended.
めかけ is a more common and neutral term for a mistress or concubine; そばめ is dated and less frequently used.
Compound of そば (side, nearby) and め (woman). The original meaning was a female attendant who served closely, later shifting to the sense of a mistress.