ladylike

adj

1. Of or related to the appearance or behaviour of a well-mannered woman.

   “Coniux imperioſa. Ouidius. A ladylike wife that will be obeyed. […] Dura domina, imperioſa. Cic. A rigorous and ladilike dame that will be obeyed.”

   “Is it ladylike to giggle? / Is it ladylike to wink? / Is it ladylike to ride a horse astraddle? / Is it ladylike to wiggle? / Is it ladylike to drink? / Is it ladylike upon the beach to paddle? […]”

   “Pirates, these women, with their ladylike briefcases for the loot and their horsy, acquisitive teeth.”

adv

1. In the manner of a lady.

   “Mirrin had lifted her second cup of tea, holding it, ladylike, with finger and thumb of her right hand while her left palm supported the saucer.”

   “Men prefer feminine women, and there’s nothing feminine about hippos. They can’t walk ladylike, they can’t sit ladylike, and God forbid they should have to run!”

   “So they sent me to an aunt who’d married off the water and kept a shop in Islington. She was kind enough, in her way. Taught me to speak ladylike . . . well, ladylike enough to pass in the shop.”