Dictionary

interpretess en · NOUN

Etymology

From interpreter + -ess.

Meanings

1. (dated) A female interpreter.
   • They were all (our interpretess whispered) the Sultan's "favourites," round-faced apricot-tinted girls in their teens, with high cheek-bones, full red lips, surprised brown eyes between curved-up Asiatic lids, and little brown hands fluttering out like birds from their brocaded sleeves. 1920, Edith Wharton, In Morocco:
   • However, I chose to go incognito, to avoid any disputes about ceremony, and went in a Turkish coach, only attended by my woman, that held up my train, and the Greek lady, who was my interpretess. 1724, Lady Mary Wortley Montague, Letters of the Right Honourable Lady M--y W--y M--e:

Forms