English Explanatory Dictionary

-ess

English dictionary entry

Meanings

suffix
  1. Used to form female equivalents.
  2. The wife of.
suffix
  1. Used to form nouns from adjectives.
suffix
  1. Used to form proper nouns from nouns.

Pronunciation

/ɛs/ /ɪs/ /əs/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl--ess.wav

Word forms

-ess -esses

Etymology

Etymology tree Ancient Greek -ῐσσᾰ (-ĭssă)bor. Late Latin -issader. Old French -essebor. Middle English -esse English -ess From Middle English -esse, borrowed from Old French -esse, from Late Latin -issa, from Ancient Greek -ισσα (-issa). Displaced Old English -en (feminine suffix of nouns).

Synonyms

-a -ette -ine -ress she- -trix

Antonyms

he-

Derived words

duress fortress Burgess
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