English
Etymology
From F. -esse.
Suffix
-ess, plural -esses
- Suffix appended to words to make a female form
#: authoress
#: lioness
#: actress
#: princess
Usage notes
Professions ending in -ter or -tor change to -tr when this suffix is added.
:A female sempster is a sempstress; a female actor is an actress.
This suffix tends to be regarded as sexist and as such is starting to fall into disuse; a single, gender-neutral term is preferred by many.
:Glenda Jackson is a famous actor.
See also
-a
-ette
-ix
Category:English suffixes|ess
la:-ess
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