Pronunciation: [stˈɛpde͡ɪm] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "Stepdame" can be a little confusing at first. The IPA phonetic transcription for "Stepdame" is /ˈstɛpdeɪm/. What this means is that the "st" at the beginning of the word is pronounced as one sound, followed by the "e" sound in "step" and the "d" sound in "dame." The "a" in "dame" is pronounced like the "ay" in "say." So, remember to spell "Stepdame" with an "a" and not an "e" in the second syllable!
Stepdame is a noun that refers to the wife of one's biological parent, with whom one does not share a blood relationship. This term is typically used to describe the role of a woman who is married to one's biological father but is not their biological mother. The prefix "step" denotes a non-biological relationship, indicating that the individual is not the child's birth mother. The term can also be used to describe the second wife of one's father when the biological mother has passed away.
The role of a stepdame can vary depending on the family dynamic and the relationship between the stepdame and the child. In some instances, the stepdame may play a nurturing and maternal role in the child's life, providing emotional support and care. In other cases, the relationship may be more distant or strained, with the stepdame having minimal involvement in the child's upbringing.
Etymologically, "stepdame" is formed by combining the word "step," meaning a non-biological relationship, and "dame," an archaic term for a woman or lady. This term can be found in historical and literary contexts, where it was commonly used to describe the wife of an individual's father, particularly in fairy tales and folklore.
The word "stepdame" is derived from the Old English term "steopdam", a combination of "steop" meaning "step-", and "dam", meaning "mother" or "dame". The prefix "steop" suggests the meaning of "in place of" or "as a replacement", while "dam" originated from the Proto-Germanic word "dammaz", referencing female ancestors or mothers. Over time, "steopdam" evolved into "stepdame" in Middle English.
