-ess

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Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From French -esse, from Late Latin -issa, from Ancient Greek -ισσα.

[edit] Suffix

-ess (plural -esses)

  1. Suffix appended to words to make a female form.
    authoress
    goddess
    lioness
    actress
    princess
    shepherdess

[edit] Usage notes

  • 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.
  • Depending on etymology, other feminine affixes are used; see synonyms.

[edit] Synonyms

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Translations

[edit] References

  • -ess” in the Online Etymology Dictionary, Douglas Harper, 2001
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