1. plural of stepdame; stepmothers
Usage: archaic

Examples

• The fairy tales often portrayed stepdames as cruel and jealous.
• In medieval literature, stepdames were frequently depicted as villains.
• The children feared their stepdames would favor their own offspring.
• Historical records show that stepdames sometimes faced suspicion from their stepchildren.
• The old stories warned of wicked stepdames who mistreated their husband’s children.