<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The word lady is a civil term of respect for a woman among English speakers . It is the equivalent of gentleman . It is also a formal title in the United Kingdom . "Lady" is used before the surname of a woman with a title of nobility or honorary title suo jure, or the wife of a lord, a baronet, and a knight, and also before the first name of the daughter of a Duke, Marquess, or Earl throughout the United Kingdom . Once used to describe only women of a high social class, race, community, and status in Europe; now the term is commonly used to refer to any adult woman among English - speakers globally . Informal use of this word is sometimes euphemistic ("lady of the night" for a prostitute) or, in American slang, condescending (equivalent to "mister"). </P> <P> The word comes from Old English hlǣfdige; the first part of the word is a mutated form of hlāf, "loaf, bread", also seen in the corresponding hlāford, "lord". The second part is usually taken to be from the root dig -, "to knead", seen also in dough; the sense development from bread - kneader, or bread - maker, or bread - shaper, to the ordinary meaning, though not clearly to be traced historically, may be illustrated by that of "lord". </P>

What does the title lady mean in england