laundressn.
/lɔːnˈdrɛs/, /ˈlɔːndrᵻs/, U.S. /ˈlɔndrəs/, /ˈlɑndrəs/ 1. A woman whose occupation it is to wash and ‘get up’ linen.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing clothes and textile articles > [noun] > one who washes clothes > a woman
washesterc900
laundress1555
washwoman1590
washmaidc1610
buck-washer1611
laundrya1616
laundry-maid1632
washerwoman1632
washing-woman1782
washer-wife1800
lavandera1841
laundry-woman1863
washer-maiden1876
washer-girl1907
1555 M. Coverdale tr. O. Werdmueller Spyrytuall Pearle (rev. ed.) vi. 60 As the dier, blecher or the landres washeth..the foule, vnclenly and defyled clothes.
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 319 He sent to lande certeyne of his men with the landresses of the shyppes.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) iii. iii. 141 Carry them to the Landresse in Datchet mead. View more context for this quotation
a1627 T. Middleton More Dissemblers besides Women v. i, in 2 New Playes (1657) 69 His jealous Laundress, that for the love she bears him starches yellow.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 189. ⁋3 Write down what you give out to your Landress, and what she brings Home again.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. ii. ii. 74 She employs Milliners, Laundresses, Tire-women.
a1859 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. (1861) V. xvii. 68 A Dutchwoman..employed as a laundress at Whitehall.
2. A caretaker of chambers in the Inns of Court.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal profession > [noun] > Inns of Court > paid officers of
pannierman1483
laundress1592
pannier1823
1592 Greenes Groats-worth of Witte sig. E2 His Hostesse writ vp the wofull remembrance of him, his laundresse, and his boy.
1611 L. Barry Ram-Alley i. i No punie Inne a Court But keepes a Landresse at his command To doe him seruice.
1731 Gentleman's Mag. 1 206/2 He had been very careful to avoid the Use of the Words Chambers, Laundress, &c.
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) xx. 207 It's a curious circumstance, Sam, that they call the old women in these inns, laundresses.
1841 S. Warren Ten Thousand a-Year III. 357 Greatly to the surprise of his laundress, he made his appearance at his chambers between six and seven o'clock in the morning.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† laundressv.
Obsolete.
Thesaurus »
a. transitive. To furnish with laundresses.
b. intransitive. To act as a laundress.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing clothes and textile articles > wash clothes [verb (intransitive)] > act as laundress
laundress1612
1612 J. Webster White Divel G 2 Did I want Ten leash of Curtisans, it would furnish me; Nay lawndrese three Armies.
1636 H. Blount Voy. Levant 14 Their Wives are used..but to dresse their meat, to Laundresse [etc.].
c. To serve (a person) as a laundress.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing clothes and textile articles > wash clothes [verb (transitive)] > wash clothes for
wash1786
laundress1850
1850 C. Dickens David Copperfield xxvi. 281 ‘Sir,’ said Mrs. Crupp, in a tone approaching to severity, ‘I've laundressed other young gentlemen besides yourself.’
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1902; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
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