ˈalderˌwoman
[f. alderman, after pairs like gentleman, -woman.]
† 1. An alderman's wife; cf. aldress, aldermaness. Obs.
| 1557 in W. H. Turner Sel. Rec. Oxford (1880) 264 Mres. Brydgman shall go nexte unto the Alderwomen. 1640 Brome Antip. iii. ii. 276 Item, an Elegy for Mistris Alderwoman. |
2. A woman holding the position of an alderman.
| 1768 Morant Hist. Essex II. 400/2 A Gild of women of our Lady's Lights, to which belonged an Alderwoman, and two wardens. 1895 [see mayoress 2]. 1900 Daily News 24 May 3/1 The London Government Act of last year..prohibited women serving as alderwomen or councillors on borough Councils. |