governeresse

Middle English

Alternative forms

• governouresse, governesse

Etymology

Borrowed from Old French governeresse; equivalent to governour +‎ -esse.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɡuˈvɛrnərɛs(ə)/, /ɡuˈvɛrnɛs(ə)/

Noun

governeresse

1. A woman who controls or leads; a female figure in charge.
2. A female guardian or protector; a governess.
3. (rare) A dominating influence portrayed allegorically.

Descendants

• English: governess, governoress

References

• “governeresse, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-11-28.
• “governesse, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-11-28.