jointress

English

Etymology

jointer +‎ -ess

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈd͡ʒɔɪntɹɪs/

Noun

jointress (plural jointresses)

1. A widow who has a jointure; a dowager.
   • c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], page 153, column 2, lines 8–14:

     Therefore our ſometimes Siſter, now our Queen,
     Th’ imperiall Ioyntreſſe of this warlike State,
     Haue we, as ’twere, with a defeated ioy,
     With one Auſpicious, and one Dropping eye,
     With mirth in Funerall, and with Dirge in Marriage,
     In equall Scale weighing Delight and Dole
     Taken to Wife […]