chantress

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English chaunteresse, from Old French chanteresse; equivalent to chanter +‎ -ess.[1]

Noun[edit]

chantress (plural chantresses)

  1. A female singer or chanter.
    • 1646 (indicated as 1645), John Milton, “Penseroso”, in Poems of Mr. John Milton, [], London: [] Ruth Raworth for Humphrey Mosely, [], →OCLC:
      Thee Chauntress, oft the woods among / I woo, to hear thy even song.
    • 2010, Eileen Power, Medieval English Nunneries: C.1275 to 1535, page 567:
      On this occasion the abbess' kitchen had to provide each lady of the convent with half a goose, the two chantresses, as well as the four usual recipients, receiving doubles, and with a hen or a cock, the fratresses and the subprioress also receiving doubles.

Synonyms[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ chantress”, in Collins English Dictionary: “late ME chanteresse. See chanter, -ess”.

Anagrams[edit]