Dictionary

bastardess en · NOUN

Etymology

From bastard + -ess, since 1843.

Meanings

1. (dated, rare) A woman who was born out of wedlock, and hence often considered an illegitimate descendant.
   • […]when a bastard marries a bastardess, and he has a legitimate Israelite brother :–all these marriages are indeed legal[…] 1843, David Aaron De Sola, Morris Jacob Raphall, Eighteen Treatises from the Mishna, page 217:
2. (derogatory, offensive, referring specifically to a woman, vulgar) A contemptible, inconsiderate, overly or arrogantly rude or spiteful woman.
   • A bastardess like me would never be allowed past the door. 2019, Christina Bauer, My Necromancer Romance, page 371:

Forms