princess

== English == === Alternative forms === princesse (archaic) === Etymology === From Middle English princesse, a borrowing from Anglo-Norman princesse, Old French princesse. By surface analysis, prince +‎ -ess. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /pɹɪnˈsɛs/, /ˈpɹɪnsɛs/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈpɹɪnsɛs/, /ˈpɹɪnsɪs/ Rhymes: (UK) -ɛs === Noun === princess (plural princesses) A female member of a royal family other than a queen, especially a daughter or granddaughter of a monarch. [from 14th c.] A woman or girl who excels in a given field or class. [from 14th c.] (now archaic) A female ruler or monarch; a queen. [from 15th c.] The wife of a prince; the female ruler of a principality. [from 15th c.] A young girl; used as a term of endearment. [from 18th c.] (derogatory, chiefly US) A young girl or woman (or less commonly a man) who is vain, spoiled, or selfish; a prima donna. [from 20th c.] A tinted crystal marble used in children's games. A type of court card in the Tarot pack, coming between the 10 and the prince (Jack). A female lemur. A Bulgarian open-faced baked sandwich prepared with ground meat. (chess) A fairy chess piece which combines the moves of the bishop and the knight. ==== Usage notes ==== A princess is usually styled “Her Highness”. A princess in a royal family is “Her Royal Highness”; in an imperial family “Her Imperial Highness”. ==== Coordinate terms ==== prince ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== princely principality ==== Translations ==== === See also === archduchess duchess grand duchess highness royal === References === S. Emmerson, A Glossary of Fairy Chess Definitions === Anagrams === Crespins, crispens