Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - woman

 noun  (plural women)  Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wifman, from wif ~, wife + man human being, man  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. an adult female person  b. a ~ belonging to a particular category (as by birth, residence, membership, or occupation) — usually used in combination council~  2. ~kind  3. distinctively feminine nature ; ~liness  4. a ~ who is a servant or personal attendant  5.  a. chiefly dialect wife  b. mistress  c. girlfriend 2  • ~ adjective  • ~less adjective