Wiktionary

bacheloress

English edit

Etymology edit

bachelor +‎ -ess

Noun edit

bacheloress (plural bacheloresses)

  1. (dated) A female bachelor.

Usage notes edit

Bacheloress had not been included in dictionaries, and considered incorrect by some in favor of the common bachelorette.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ Peter Smith (1826) An Analytical System of English Grammar; […], Edinburgh: […] Oliver & Boyd, […]; and Geo[rge] B[yrom] Whittaker, London, page 17:
    How are the following nouns improperly formed, and what should they be? viz.—Lifes, knifes, dwarves, mischieves—boxs, churchs, dishs, fishs—enemys, flys, skys, spys—louses, mouses, oxes, pennys—arcanums, datums, erratums, phænomenons—bacheloress, benefactoress, governoress—boys books, girls dolls, childs rattle—diligence sake; Jane’s, Margaret’s, and Isabella’s mother; John’s, Peter’s, and Frank’s books.
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