老女
Meanings
1
General term for an elderly woman; neutral in register.
An elderly woman was sitting on a bench in the park.
2
senior lady-in-waiting
historical term
Historical term for a senior female attendant in a court or noble household.
In the Heian-period court, senior ladies-in-waiting played important roles.
Usage patterns
- 〈老女〉に席を譲るto give up one's seat for an elderly woman
I gave up my seat for an elderly woman on the train.
- 〈人〉に老女として仕えるto serve someone as a senior lady-in-waiting
She served the princess as a senior lady-in-waiting.
- 老女が一人で暮らすan elderly woman living alone
That elderly woman lives alone.