invigilatrix

English

Etymology

Formed as invigilate +‎ -trix, after invigilator. Compare the Italian invigilatrice.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɪnˈvɪd͡ʒɪleɪtɹɪks/

Noun

invigilatrix (plural invigilatrices, masculine invigilator)

1. (rare) A woman (or entity given female personification) who invigilates; a female invigilator.
   • 1911 January 7, Andrew Lang, “At the Sign of St. Paul’s: Andrew Lang on Scott and Golf, Ghosts, and Literary Examinations”, in The Illustrated London News, volume CXXXVIII, number 3742, London: [T]he Illustrated London News and Sketch, Limited, page 16, column 3:

     A History paper was lately set, at a girls’ school, on a certain period of English history—say the Reformation. One question was: “Mention the person in your period who interests you most, and give your reasons.” During the examination some female præpostor or other subaltern was sitting with the girls, some of whom asked, “Does ‘your period’ mean our period?” “Yes,” said the invigilatrix, if that is the word for the fair looker-on.

   • 1987, Anthony Burgess, Little Wilson and Big God, page 145:

     Our invigilatrix was my WEA widow, earning a little daytime money by giving out the papers and watching for cheaters.

   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:invigilatrix.