stewardess
(ˈstjuːədɪs)
[f. steward n. + -ess1.]
a. A female who performs the duties of a steward; also fig.
| 1631 Celestina xxi. 198 O variable fortune..thou Ministresse and high Stewardesse of all temporal happinesse. 1827 Carlyle Germ. Rom. III. 212 She was his..Castle-Stewardess. 1865 Gladstone in Morley Life v. x. (1903) II. 160 Her [sc. the church's] high office as stewardess of divine truth. |
b. A female attendant on a ship whose duty it is to wait on the women passengers.
| 1837 H. Martineau Soc. Amer. II. 2 Mrs. F. and I were the only ladies on board; and there was no stewardess. 1885 Times 21 Sept. 10/1 There were five females among the passengers, including the stewardess. |
c. A female attendant on a passenger aircraft who attends to the needs and comfort of the passengers; = air hostess s.v. air n.1 B. III. 4. Also, a similar attendant on other kinds of passenger transport.
| 1931 United Airlines News Aug. 5/2 (caption) Uniformed stewardesses employed on the Chicago-San Diego divisions of United. The picture shows the original group of stewardesses employed. 1937 Sun (Baltimore) 22 Apr. 6/1 (Advt.), America's first railroad adds another to its long list of firsts... A uniformed Stewardess who is also a graduate nurse! She looks after your comfort en route [etc.]. 1958 ‘Castle’ & ‘Hailey’ Flight into Danger i. 12 He ducked into the aircraft..joined shortly by a stewardess..who smiled at him and made fast the door. 1968 M. Woodhouse Rock Baby x. 104 The stewardess announced our landing. 1978 R. Ludlum Holcroft Covenant iii. 40 In two chairs against the wall sat the captain of the 747 and the stewardess assigned to its first-class lounge. 1981 Christian Sci. Monitor 28 July 6/1 Rooms at the St. James's club, a luxury bus with two stewardesses, and a special room overlooking the Strand. |