bacheloress

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

bachelor +‎ -ess

Noun[edit]

bacheloress (plural bacheloresses)

  1. (dated) A female bachelor.

Usage notes[edit]

Bacheloress had not been included in dictionaries, and considered incorrect by some in favor of the common bachelorette.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Peter Smith (1826) An Analytical System of English Grammar; […], Edinburgh: […] Oliver & Boyd, […]; and Geo[rge] B[yrom] Whittaker, London, page 17:
    How are the following nouns improperly formed, and what should they be? viz.—Lifes, knifes, dwarves, mischieves—boxs, churchs, dishs, fishs—enemys, flys, skys, spys—louses, mouses, oxes, pennys—arcanums, datums, erratums, phænomenons—bacheloress, benefactoress, governoress—boys books, girls dolls, childs rattle—diligence sake; Jane’s, Margaret’s, and Isabella’s mother; John’s, Peter’s, and Frank’s books.
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