Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Dame \Dame\ (d[=a]m), n. [F. dame, LL. domna, fr. L. domina
   mistress, lady, fem. of dominus master, ruler, lord; akin to
   domare to tame, subdue. See {Tame}, and cf. {Dam} a mother,
   {Dan}, {Danger}, {Dungeon}, {Dominie}, {Don}, n., {Duenna}.]
   1. A mistress of a family, who is a lady; a woman in
      authority; especially, a lady.

            Then shall these lords do vex me half so much, As
            that proud dame, the lord protector's wife. --Shak.

   2. The mistress of a family in common life, or the mistress
      of a common school; as, a dame's school.

            In the dame's classes at the village school.
      --Emerson.

   3. A woman in general, esp. an elderly woman.

   4. A mother; -- applied to human beings and quadrupeds.
      [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Source : WordNet®

dame
     n 1: informal terms for a (young) woman [syn: {doll}, {wench}, {skirt},
           {chick}, {bird}]
     2: a woman of refinement; "a chauffeur opened the door of the
        limousine for the grand lady" [syn: {madam}, {ma'am}, {lady},
         {gentlewoman}]