-essa
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: essa
Contents
Catalan[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Late Latin -issa.
Suffix[edit]
-essa f
- -ess (female)
Usage notes[edit]
This suffix is non-productive in modern Catalan, with either the usual feminine termination -a being employed, or the noun having a single form for both genders.
Derived terms[edit]
Italian[edit]
Suffix[edit]
-essa
Usage notes[edit]
- Mostly used to form the feminine of animate nouns. e.g. barone => baronessa
- Sometimes used ironically or in a disparaging manner. e.g. medico => medichessa
