そばめ

そ

ば

め

Meanings

1

mistress; kept woman; concubine

usually written using kana alonedated term

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)

彼かれはそばめを囲かこっているらしい。
He seems to be keeping a mistress.

2

close female servant

archaic

Archaic original meaning; a female attendant or personal maid in a noble household.

平へい安あん時じ代だいの貴き族ぞくの屋や敷しきには、そばめが何なん人にんも仕つかえていた。
In Heian-period noble residences, several close female servants attended.