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Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.
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Legal Definitions - dame
Definition of dame
The term "Dame" is an honorific title primarily used within the British honors system and in Commonwealth realms. It serves as the female equivalent of a Knight and is bestowed upon women who have been admitted to certain orders of chivalry in their own right, such as the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire or the Royal Victorian Order. Additionally, "Dame" can be used as a courtesy title for the wife of a knight or a baronet.
- Example 1: After decades of groundbreaking research in renewable energy, Dr. Eleanor Vance was recognized for her immense contributions to science and sustainability. Upon receiving the highest honor, she was formally addressed as Dame Eleanor Vance.
Explanation: This example illustrates "Dame" being conferred directly upon a woman for her personal achievements, making her the female equivalent of a knight. She earned the title through her own merits and contributions.
- Example 2: When Sir Alistair Finch, a prominent philanthropist, was knighted for his charitable work, his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Finch, subsequently became known as Dame Beatrice Finch.
Explanation: Here, "Dame" is used as a courtesy title. Beatrice Finch did not receive the honor herself, but acquired the title as the wife of a knight, reflecting the traditional usage where the spouse of a knight or baronet also holds an honorific.
Simple Definition
Legally, "dame" is the title for the wife of a knight or baronet, or it can be the female equivalent of a knight, sometimes referred to as "Domina." It also serves as a formal address for a woman of high rank. While these are its primary formal uses, the term can also broadly refer to a matron or, informally, any woman.