Also in 8 eyah. [a. āya, āyā in various Indian vernaculars), a. Pg. aia (= Sp. aya, It. aja) nurse, children’s governess, fem. of aio (Sp. ayo, It. ajo) a tutor. Introduced by the Portuguese into India, where adopted in Anglo-Indian from the vernaculars.] A native Hindoo nurse or lady’s maid.
1782. India Gaz., 12 Oct. Eyah … 5 Rupees a month.
1810. T. Williamson, E. Ind. Vade-mecum, I. 337. The female who attends a lady while she is dressing, etc. is called an Ayah.
1813. Mrs. Sherwood, Ayah & Lady, i. 7. This Lady paid her Ayah seven rupees per month.
1848. [Chambers], Alfred in Ind., 18. Ayahs, or ladies’-maids, who take care of very young children.
1852. Lond. Jrnl., 9 Oct., 66. Ellen’s ayah or native nurse who had accompanied her to England.
