-ess

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Suffix 1.2.1 Usage notes 1.2.2 Translations 1.3 See also

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From French -esse.

[edit] Suffix

-ess (plural -esses)

1. Suffix appended to words to make a female form.

   authoress

   goddess

   lioness

   actress

   princess

[edit] Usage notes

• Professions ending in -ter or -tor change to -tr when this suffix is added.

  A female sempster is a sempstress; a female actor is an actress.

• This suffix tends to be regarded as sexist and as such is starting to fall into disuse; a single, gender-neutral term is preferred by many.

  Glenda Jackson is a famous actor.

[edit] Translations

[edit] See also

• -a
• -ette
• -ix