Dictionary

manstress en · NOUN

Etymology

Blend of man + mistress, not attested before 1980.

Meanings

1. (slang) A male equivalent of "mistress"; a male object of one's affections who lies outside of one's primary relationship.
   • 4. Thou shalt commit adultery, or preadultery: If it feeleth good, do it. Particularly if you're French, and keeping a mistress or manstress is expected. 1997 March 25, Edward P. Moser, “Words to Live By”, in The Wall Street Journal, New York, N.Y.: Dow Jones & Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 24 Oct 2020:
   • Tom and Nicole had been married for several years, but it was well known that she was keeping a manstress on the side.

Forms