-ess

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Contents

[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

  • 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

In other languages