authoress
(ˈɔːθərɪs)
Forms: 5 aucteuresse, 6–7 auctr-, authresse, 8 authouress, 7– authoress. Also 5 auctorice, 6 auctrice.
[f. author n. (in its successive forms) + -ess. Not in Fr. The 15–16th c. auctorice, auctrice, ad. L. auctrix, -trīcem, is strictly a distinct formation: see -trice.]
A female author: a. an originator, causer; b. a leader; c. a mother, creatress; d. esp. a female literary composer. (Now used only when sex is purposely emphasized; otherwise, in all the senses, and especially the last, author is now used of both sexes.)
| a. 1494 Fabyan v. cxxvi. 107 Brunechield, that had been auctorice of so manyfold mischefes. 1523 State Papers Hen. VIII, IV. 87 The oonly auctrice of ferme peax bitwene bothe realmes. 1612 Warner Alb. Eng. vii. xxxvi. 176 Only thou art Auctresse of such ill. 1632 J. Hayward Eromena 32 She was the authresse of all the mischiefe. 1645 J. G[oodwin] Innoc. & Truth Tri. 63 If all the errors..should be charged upon the way of Presbyterie, as the Authoresse and Foundresse of them. 1718 Pope Iliad xxiv. 970 Others cursed the authoress of their woe. |
| b. 1583 Stanyhurst Aeneis i. (Arb.) 29 Of this valiant attempt a woomman is authresse. 1654 Earl of Orrery Parthen. (1676) 532 The Authoress of shedding so much Blood. |
| c. c 1603 Chapman Iliad vi. 277 The great helm-mover thus received the auth'ress of his kind: ‘My royal mother.’ a 1779 Cook Voy. (1790) IV. 1491 Who, they say, is a female, and the supreme authoress of nature. |
| d. 1478 Caxton Prou. Crist. de Pisan Coloph., Of these sayynges Cristyne was aucteuresse. 1724 Swift Corinna Wks. 1755 III. ii. 154 At twelve a wit and a coquette..Turns auth'ress, and is Curll's for life. 1825 Southey in Q. Rev. XXXI. 384 Upon this, the authoress has been misinformed. 1865 Reader 4 Mar. 254 The authoress has read a deal and travelled a deal. |