English edit

Etymology edit

From spectator +‎ -ess.

Noun edit

spectatress (plural spectatresses)

  1. (dated) A female spectator.
    • 1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, III.v.1:
      At the end of the two dances, Lord Ernolf again attempted to engage her for his son, but she now excused herself from dancing any more, and sat quietly as a spectatress till the rest of the company gave over.
    • 1818, The Edinburgh Review, volume 30, page 296:
      Mad. de S. was a spectatress of the whole scene in the interior of the palace

Synonyms edit