ˈmistress-ship
[f. mistress n. + -ship.]
1. The condition or status of mistress or head of a household, etc.; authority of one in the position of a mistress.
| 1581 Mulcaster Positions xxxviii. (1887) 176 From the lowest in menaltie, to the highest in mistriship. a 1656 Bp. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660) 407 If any of them still usurpe a Mistress-ship over them. 1705 G. Bull Corrupt. Ch. Rome Wks. 1827 II. 290 They never acknowledged her mistresship over them. 1858 Miss Mulock Woman's Th. about Women 55 Having all the cares, and only half the joys of maternity or mistress-ship. 1892 Catholic News 23 July, There is some talk of her Majesty putting the Mistress-ship of the robes into commission. 1898 Fitchett Fights for the Flag 3 The struggle between the two maritime republics for the mistress-ship of the seas. |
† 2. The status of a woman to whom the title of mistress was used: always in your mistress-ship. Obs.
| 1460 Paston Lett. I. 533 Beseching yow of your good maisteresship to be myn good maisteres to help wit your gracious woord. Ibid. III. 253 Plesith it your mastresship to witte. a 1553 Udall Royster D. ii. iv. (Arb.) 38 By your mistreshyps licence. 1611 Middleton & Dekker Roaring Girl ii. i, I humbly thank your good mistresship. 1632 Massinger City Madam iv. iv, He made a knight, And your sweet mistress-ship ladyfied. |
3. The post of mistress in a school.
| 1891 Brit. & For. School Soc. Rep. 17 There has been a change of teachers, Miss Brown having resigned the mistress-ship on her marriage. 1900 Standard 27 Oct., Girls' School.—Head Mistress-ship. |
4. Pre-eminent skill in an art, etc. ? Obs.
| 1819 Blackw. Mag. V. 125 His wife has a complete mistress-ship in the art. 1837 Tait's Mag. IV. 589 She..imparts to her..sketches a certain style and mistress-ship which no traveller of the other sex..could have attained. |