chiefess

English

Etymology

From chief +‎ -ess.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /tʃiːˈfɛs/

Noun

chiefess (plural chiefesses)

1. (Hawaii) Synonym of chieftainess, a female chief.
   • 2012, Julia Flynn Siler, Lost Kingdom, Grove Press, page 7:

     Although Lili‘u was born a high chiefess, with lineage that reached back to the high chiefs under Kamehameha the Great, at the time of her birth it would never have seemed possible that she would someday become queen.