noun
- Plural of ayah; women employed as nursemaids, nannies, or caregivers, especially in South Asia or formerly in British colonial households.
Usage: Chiefly historical or South Asian English; Often refers to domestic servants in Indian or Anglo-Indian contexts
Examples
- The British family hired two ayahs to care for their children during their time in India.
- In colonial households, ayahs were responsible for the daily care and upbringing of young children.
- The ayahs prepared the children for bed and supervised their playtime.
- She worked as one of the ayahs in a large Anglo-Indian household for many years.
- The ayahs spoke to the children in both English and local languages.