protectress

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English

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Etymology

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From protector +‎ -ess.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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protectress (plural protectresses)

  1. A female protector.
    • 1820, [Walter Scott], chapter I, in The Abbot. [], volume I, Edinburgh: [] [James Ballantyne & Co.] for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, []; and for Archibald Constable and Company, and John Ballantyne, [], →OCLC, page 25:
      But consider, whether in the sacred promise to be not only a protectress, but a mother to this poor child, your purpose may meet the wishes of the noble knight your husband.
    • 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XII, in Francesca Carrara. [], volume II, London: Richard Bentley, [], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 123:
      She left a daughter, who was adopted by Lady Evelyn, to share a like fate with her mother; for when I saw Lucy Aylmer, her protectress was dead, and she had returned to her father's house, with a pale cheek and languid step, which showed how little her heart was there.
    • 1897, Henry James, What Maisie Knew:
      Her protectress, at this, was upon her again [...]. For the rest of the conversation she was enclosed in Mrs. Wix's arms [...].
    • 2007 March 11, Michael Kimmelman, “The Goal Standard”, in New York Times[1]:
      In Titian’s hands, Diana, protectress of pubescent girls, became a sporty archer in tie-up sandals and bracelets, hair gathered in a loose bun, a silky tunic gaping to reveal one breast, shooting an arrow at her hunky voyeur, who has newly furry ears and a shiny nose, dogs nipping at his crotch.

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