‖ matranee Anglo-Indian.
(məˈtrɑːniː)
Also matraney.
[Corruption of Hindī mehtarānī, fem. of mehtar.]
A female sweeper (of a house); a female house-servant in India whose duty it is to perform the most menial offices.
| c 1804 Sherwood in Life Mrs. S. (1854) 294 A Matranee. c 1813 Mrs. Sherwood Stories Ch. Catech. xxxvii. 376 A procession of sweeper-women, or matraneys. 1886 Yule & Burnell Anglo-Ind. Gloss., Matranee,..a female sweeper. |