amme

Amme is a term found in the German language with historical usage referring to a wet nurse or nursemaid. In older writings and household accounts, an amme was the caregiver responsible for the nursing and daily care of noble or royal children. The word appears in medieval and early modern German texts and is often encountered in translations or descriptions of aristocratic households. In contemporary German, the term is largely archaic or confined to historical discussion and literary contexts.

Etymology and linguistic notes: Amme comes from early Germanic usage, with attested forms in Old High German. The semantic core centers on nursing and caregiving within a household setting. In modern German, the common article and inflection apply as die Amme (singular) and die Ammen (plural), but the term is infrequently used outside historical or literary contexts.

Other uses: Amme also exists as a surname in some German-speaking and Baltic-influenced regions. As a surname, it may derive from occupational or locational origins related to caregiving or domestic roles in historical communities. The term is not widely used as a given name, and there are no universally recognized contemporary meanings beyond its historical sense and occasional genealogical references.

Overview: Amme is primarily of historical interest in English-language reference works. Its principal meaning is a wet nurse or nursemaid in traditional German household contexts, and it persists in scholarly discussions of caregiving roles in past societies. Beyond that scope, it is a relatively rare term in modern usage.