heroessn.
/ˌhɪərəʊˈɛs/, U.S. /ˌhɪroʊˈɛs/, /ˌhiroʊˈɛs/ A female hero, a heroine.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > [noun] > demigod or hero > demigoddess
demigoddess1603
heroess1612
heroine1616
the mind > emotion > courage > heroism > [noun] > heroine
heroine1587
heroess1612
lady errant1615
Bellona1820
shero1836
hero-woman1847
tiger-cat1863
war heroine1932
lad1935
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > famous or eminent person > [noun] > woman
heroine1587
heroess1612
grande dame1775
lioness1808
shero1836
tycooness1960
society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > narrative or story > fiction > [noun] > creation or description of characters > principal character > female
heroine1672
heroess1715
1612 R. Sheldon 1st Serm. after Conversion 48 That Heroisse [sc. Queen Elizabeth] being departed.
?1615 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses (new ed.) xi. 445 All th' heroesses in Pluto's house.
1694 E. Phillips tr. J. Milton Lett. of State 123 A Heroess so matchless in all degrees of Praise and Masculine Renown.
1715 tr. M.-C. d'Aulnoy Wks. 6 I then forgot all that Romances had taught me concerning the Disdain and Pride of their Heroesses.
1816 N. Amer. Rev. May 8 That young heroess kept the door fast against them so long.
1895 Tuftonian 20 May 188 They hev been some heroesses in this world, and my sister wuz one of 'em.
1913 M. Penrose Motor Girls on Coast ii. 22 ‘Bravo!’ cried Jack. ‘You're a heroess!’
1997 Herald (Glasgow) (Nexis) 27 Dec. 17 ‘I have hero-esses’, he adds winningly. Who? He thinks for a bit. ‘Michelle Pfeiffer, Nicole Kidman.’
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1612