▪ I. foundress1
(ˈfaʊndrɪs)
Forms: 5 fowndowr-, 5–6 founderesse, (7 -ess), 5–7 foundresse, 7–8 -res, 7– foundress.
[f. founder n.2 + -ess.]
A female founder; esp. a woman who founds or endows an institution, etc.
| c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems 11 Gramer..Cheeff ffounderesse and roote of alle connyng. 1490 Caxton Eneydos vi. 23 Dydo..foundresse of the noble cyte of cartage. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 898 [Perkin] retourned againe to the Lady Margaret his first foolish foundresse. 1631 Weever Anc. Fun. Mon. 387 The chiefe Foundresse of this religious house. 1778 Lowth Transl. Isaiah Notes (ed. 12) 328 Semiramis was the foundress of this part also of the Babylonian greatness. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) III. 530 The goddess who is the common foundress of both our cities. |
▪ II. † ˈfoundress2 Obs.
[f. founder n.3 + -ess.]
A woman who founds or casts metals.
| 1638 Ford Fancies iii. ii, The great bell of my heart is crack'd and never Can ring in tune again, till't be new cast By one only skilful foundress. |