benefactress
(bɛnɪˈfæktrɪs)
[f. benefactor + -ess.]
A female benefactor.
| 1711 Swift Vind. Dk. Marlborough Wks. 1814 V. 397 While his gracious benefactress is contented to take up her residence in an old patched-up palace. 1781 Gibbon Decl. & F. III. xlviii. 32 They basely conspired against their benefactress. 1834 Lamb Elia, Oxford in Vac., And pay a devoir to some Founder, or noble or Royal Benefactress. |