detractress en · NOUN
Etymology
From detractor + -ess.
Meanings
-
(obsolete) A female detractor.
That if any shall detract from a Lady's Character, […]the said Detractress shall be forthwith ordered to the lowest place of the Room.
1715 March 19 (Gregorian calendar), Joseph Addison, “The Free-holder: No. 23. Tuesday, March 9. [1715.]”, in The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq; […], volume IV, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], published 1721, →OCLC:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| detractresses | Number=Plur | lexicographic |