mistress

== English == === Alternative forms === mistris (obsolete) === Etymology === From Middle English maistresse, from Old French maistresse (whence French maîtresse), feminine of maistre (“master”). By surface analysis, mist(e)r +‎ -ess. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈmɪs.tɹɪs/ (South Asia) IPA(key): /ˈmɪs.ʈrɪs/, (spelling pronunciation) /mɪsˈʈrɛs/ === Noun === mistress (plural mistresses) A woman, specifically one with great control, authority or ownership. Synonyms: (applicable to either sex) boss, (applicable to either sex) head, (applicable to either sex) leader Coordinate term: master A female head of household. A female teacher. Synonym: schoolmarm Coordinate term: master The other woman in an extramarital relationship, generally including sexual relations. Synonyms: (applicable to either sex) bit on the side, fancy woman, comaré, goomah; see also Thesaurus:mistress Coordinate terms: cicisbeo, fancy man A dominatrix. Coordinate term: master A woman well skilled in anything, or having the mastery over it. A woman regarded with love and devotion; a sweetheart. (Scotland) A married woman; a wife. (archaic) A respectful mode of address to a woman. (obsolete) The jack in the game of bowls. A female companion to a master (a man with control, authority or ownership). Female equivalent of master. Female equivalent of mister. ==== Usage notes ==== In the extramarital sense, mistress is often narrowly taken to mean a woman involved in a committed extramarital relationship (an affair), often supported financially (a kept woman). It can also be taken to mean broadly a woman involved in an extramarital relationship regardless of the level of commitment, but requires more than a single act of adultery. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Descendants ==== → Japanese: ミストレス (misutoresu) ==== Translations ==== === Verb === mistress (third-person singular simple present mistresses, present participle mistressing, simple past and past participle mistressed) (transitive, rare) Of a woman: to master; to learn or develop to a high degree of proficiency. (intransitive) To act or take the role of a mistress. === See also === (titles) (of a man): Mr (Mister, mister), Sir (sir); (of a woman): Ms (Miz, mizz), Mrs (Mistress, mistress), Miss (miss), Dame (dame), Madam (madam, ma'am); (of a non-binary person): Mx (Mixter); (see also): Dr (Doctor, doctor) (Category: en:Titles) === References === === Further reading === William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “mistress”, in The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC.