genetrix, genitrix Now rare.
(ˈdʒɛnɪtrɪks)
Also 6 Sc. genetrice, 7 genitresse.
[a. L. genetrix, genitrix female parent (cf. genitor), f. gen-stem of gignĕre to beget, give birth. The form genitrice is adopted from OF., while genitresse is a new formation from genitor.]
A female parent, a mother. Also fig. applied to one's native country.
| 1500–20 Dunbar Poems lxxxv. 63 Victryce of wyce, hie genetrice Of Jhesu, lord souerayne. 1562 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) i. 5 Welcum, oure jem and joyfull genetryce! 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. ii. 46 But praises all of this my genitresse That shee deserv's, no wit nor art is able to expresse. 1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. i. iv. §19. 366 Omnipotent Jupiter..the progenitor and genitrix, the both father and mother, of those gods. 1878 B. Taylor Deukalion i. v. 44 Who else than she the genetrix of light, The mother of the morning? 1892 Sir F. Cook in Mod. Rev. I. 140 The typical mother can neither be a slave nor a genetrix of slaves. |