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mistressn.adj. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French maistresse. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman and Middle French maistresse, mestresse (c1180 in Old French; French maîtresse ) < maistre master n.1 + -esse -ess suffix1. Compare Old Occitan mestressa (1450), Italian (archaic) maestressa (a1348), and also post-classical Latin magistrissa (1269), magistressa (mid 14th cent.). Compare miss n.2, missus n., Mrs n.1Among parallel senses of the word in Old French and Middle French are: ‘governess, duenna’ (c1180; compare sense A. 1), ‘female head of a household’ (13th cent.; compare sense A. 2a), ‘object of reverent love’ (first half of the 13th cent.; compare sense A. 5a), ‘woman who is proficient in something’ (first half of the 13th cent.; compare sense A. 9), ‘female teacher’ (1332; compare sense A. 8), ‘female possessor of something’ (c1372; compare sense A. 4c). The Middle French word occurs as an adjective used attributively from the late 15th cent. (compare sense B.). With the change in the vowel of the first syllable to i , compare mister n.1 A. n. I. A woman having control or authority. society > education > teaching > teacher > [noun] > professional teacher > governess c1330 (?a1300) (1886) l. 102 (MED) To hir maistresse sche gan say Þat hye was boun to go To þe kniȝt þer he lay. c1390 G. Chaucer 72 And ye maistresses, in youre olde lyf, That lordes doghtres han in gouernaunce. a1425 (?c1350) (1964) 936 (MED) Sho was al hir maystres, Her keper, and hir cownsaylere. a1500 (?c1450) (1976) 820 (MED) Florence..and hur maystres Awdygon Went in to þe halle allone. 1599 A. Hume Epist. to G. Montcrieff in sig. H2 The maistres sharpe of fuiles experience. 2. society > authority > [noun] > those in authority > person in authority > woman society > authority > control > person in control > [noun] > manager or administrator > female society > authority > rule or government > rule or government of family or tribe > head of family, tribe, or clan > [noun] > head of household > woman a1375 (c1350) (1867) 1016 (MED) Alisaundrine..attlede þe soþe, þat hire maistres & þat man no schuld hire nouȝt misse, þeȝh sche walked..from here siȝt. a1425 (Lansd.) (1902) 10 (MED) Ilkain sal take discipline at oþir, als hir mastiresse þoȝ scho ware. 1483 ( tr. G. Deguileville (Caxton) (1859) iv. xxxviii. 64 She bare hyr seluen boldely, right as she were maystresse, and hadde alle the gouernement of the kyng, and his houshold. a1513 H. Bradshaw (1521) i.xxi. sig. g.viiiv Of whiche sayd places [sc. monasteries], she had the gouernaunce As worthy maystres. 1584–5 in J. D. Marwick (1882) IV. 400 The maister or maistres of euery house. 1611 1 Kings xvii. 17 The sonne of the woman, the mistresse of the house, fell sicke. View more context for this quotation 1641 J. Jackson iii. 225 The Mistris is a good Huswife, but of shrewish condition. 1711 R. Steele No. 202. ⁋ 12 That the Masters and Mistresses of such Houses live in continual Suspicion of their ingenuous and true Servants. 1773 H. Chapone II. 72 The mistress of the family must be ever watchful. 1814 W. Scott III. vi. 80 The future mistress of my family, and the mother of my children. View more context for this quotation 1861 F. Nightingale (new ed.) ii. 24 The mistress of any building, large or small, does not think it necessary to visit every hole and corner of it every day. 1896 J. M. Barrie ii. 27 She was eight when her mother's death made her mistress of the house and mother to her little brother. 1921 A. Huxley 131 The young lady accepted him, and in less than a year had become the absolute mistress of Crome and her husband. 1997 P. Carey xlii. 151 It was as clear as day to her that she..might one day be mistress of the house wherein she had been called to serve. society > authority > [noun] > those in authority > person in authority > master of servant > woman a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) i. 1825 (MED) Sey what you list in my querele..evere whil that I may live, I wol that ye be my maistresse. c1395 G. Chaucer 823 I neuere heeld me lady ne maistresse, But humble seruant to youre worthynesse. 1451 J. Gresham in (2004) II. 75 I send yow þe cerciorari for my maistresse your modir. a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville (Vitell.) 3786 (MED) She that ys a maystresse Muste haue a seruaunt hyr to-beye. ?1533 G. Du Wes sig. Uiv My lady Mary of Englande, my lady and mastresse. c1614 W. Mure tr. Virgil Dido & Æneas iii. in (1898) I. 391 Her Dams attending see their mistris fall On piercing sword. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. iv. 104 Too low a Mistres for so high a seruant. View more context for this quotation 1715 A. Pope tr. Homer I. iii. 526 The Maids officious round their Mistress wait. 1742 H. Fielding (ed. 2) I. i. xvi. 124 Indeed both the Mistress and Maid uttered the above-mentioned B——. a1817 J. Austen (1818) II. vi. 94 This ill-timed intruder was Miss Tilney's maid, sent by her mistress to be of use to Miss Morland. View more context for this quotation 1866 C. Reade II. iv. 76 That sort of..cold pity women are apt to show to women, and especially when one of them is Mistress and the other is Servant. 1903 J. M. Sloan xxi. 192 Jane Welsh was among the best of mistresses to her servants. 1993 29 Aug. 16 The black mother who retrieves her daughter from service with a white family despite the mistress's protests. 1545 R. Ascham i. f. 12v I euer thought shooting shoulde be a wayter vpon lerning not a mastres ouer learning. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. i. 53 The Art and Practique part of Life, Must be the Mistresse to this Theorique. View more context for this quotation 1659 J. Dryden Heroique Stanza's viii, in E. Waller et al. 3 Fortune (that easie Mistresse of the young But to her auncient servants coy and hard). 1846 J. M'Cosh in I. p. xii Charnock's imagination was..the handmaid not the mistress of his reason. 1986 M. Foot 145 He wrote to serve, not that frigid, unresponsive mistress, the Muse of History, but his own ambition. 1557 T. Tusser sig. C.ii Such maister suche man, and such mistres suche mayde. 1611 Isa. xxiv. 2 And it shall be..as with the seruant, so with his master, as with the maid, so with her mistresse . View more context for this quotation 1612 H. Peacham To Rdr. He should neuer leaue the Mistresse to court the maid. 1732 T. Fuller 63 Hackney mistress, hackney maid. a1882 R. W. Emerson VI. 202 Elizabeth gives me two Proverbs today..–‘The Mistress makes the morning, But the Lord makes the afternoon’. 1936 G. Heyer i. 8 Those girls were a lazy lot of sluts, come to think of it. Common too. Like mistress, like maid. 1683 10 Feb. John the son of Thomas Urquhart of Burgorge and Flowrence Dunbar the Mistress [born]. 1773 J. Boswell 6 Sept. (1785) 176 (note) The tacksmen, or principal tenants, are named by their farms, as Kingsburgh, Corichatachin; and their wives are called the mistress of Kingsburgh, the mistress of Corichatachin. 1815 W. Scott II. 71 Several of the neighbouring mistresses (a phrase of a signification how different from what it bears in more fashionable life!) had assembled at Charlies-hope to witness the event of this memorable evening. 1822 J. Galt xii. 296 Although Mr. Keckle had been buried but the week before, the mistress, as a' minister's wives of the right gospel and evangelical kind should be, was in a wholesome state of composity. 1960 402 Most farmers dance at least once with their cottars' wives and the cottar as often with the ‘mistress’. society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > married person > married woman > [noun] > wife 1873 E. Bulwer-Lytton II. iii. iii. 26 My Mistress, Squire, and my three girls—and this is my son. 1875 W. D. Parish at Mistus It is very difficult to say at what age a Sussex man's wife ceases to be his mistus and becomes the old 'ooman. 1880 W. H. Patterson 69 His mistress opened the door to me. 1890 May 465 I sends my mistus for the club doctor. 1899 S. R. Crockett 55 To ask him when he thought of taking a mistress up to the Back o' Beyont. 1902 B. Kirkby in (1903) IV. 134/1 [Westmorland] Oor mistress hes gone ta t'market. 1923 ‘H. Foulis’ xx. 99 Of course, ye'll break the news to your mustress the best way that ye can. 1996 C. I. Macafee 225/1 Mistress, usually the mistress,..a man's wife. 1921 F. Savage tr. L. von Sacher-Masoch 79 ‘Slave!’ ‘Mistress!’ I kneel down, and kiss the hem of her garment. 1921 F. Savage tr. L. von Sacher-Masoch 173 ‘But, mistress—’ ‘Do you want a taste of the whip?’ 1974 B. Hoddeson v. 79/2 He brings clothespins that he has me fasten on his nipples and on his balls when he wants me to punish him a little bit. He calls me ‘mistress’. 1985 Bizarre Lifestyles 1 No. 1. 47 (advt.) in T. E. Murray & T. R. Murrell 95 Mistress looking for others with interests in spanking, french worship and leather training, also B & D. 1991 (Electronic ed.) 6 Jan. In its advertisements in local sex-oriented publications, the Chateau pictures its ‘mistresses’ and describes them as ‘dedicated and truly into B&D’. 2001 9 Jan. 119/1 The dialogue between players is a series of clichés, from the stereotypical lick-my-boots-you-pig command to the please-Mistress-may-I-have-another response. †3. the mind > will > motivation > [noun] > incitement or instigation > one who incites or instigates > female the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > patronage > [noun] > patron > of the arts or literature > female or personified a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 23 (MED) Maistresse [L. praesul] of þilke welles is þe grete spirit of Minerua. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) v. 4036 (MED) An Alter mad ther was Unto Echates, the goddesse Of art magique and the maistresse. c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) 4530 Minuera [read Minerua] was a maistres of many kingis werkis. 1490 W. Caxton tr. xiii. 46 Juno, the goddesse of wedlocke whiche is lady mastresse, and wardeyne, of the connexes or bondes aminicules. a1513 W. Dunbar (1998) I. 81 Dochtir to Pallas..Mastres of nurtur and of nobilnes. ?1577 J. Northbrooke 36 Idlenesse (sayeth Chrysostome) is the mystres and beginning of all vice and wickednesse. 1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta iii. iii. 127 Vntill that Experience (the mistris of these secrets) had taught them. 1709 S. Centlivre i. i. 3 Want, the Mistress of Invention. society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > [noun] > person or state ruling over another society > authority > control > person in control > [noun] > woman > thing personified as society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > [noun] > female > thing personified as a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) viii. 2331 (MED) For Nature is, under the Mone, Maistresse of every lives kinde. c1450 ( G. Chaucer 797 Yowthe, my maistresse, Governed me in ydelnesse. c1480 (a1400) St. Mary of Egypt 745 in W. M. Metcalfe (1896) I. 317 Sa þat þu myn mastres be, & ledar in wa of sawete. c1500 (?a1475) (1896) 243 Wyll ye agre that Pheb your mastresse May haue the guyding of your varyaunce? 1594 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye II. 61 They..do as if they meant to despite God and Nature, whome they will not followe as mistresse. 1608 W. Shakespeare vi. 39 Warbling of wicked charms, coniuring the Moone to stand's auspicious Mistris . View more context for this quotation 1645 J. Milton Arcades in 53 The great Mistres of yon princely shrine. 1677 A. Yarranton 6 To beat the Dutch with fighting, so as to force them from their beloved Mistriss and delight, (which is Trade and Riches thereby). the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > patronage > [noun] > patron > female ?1461 Piers in (2004) II. 342 Bescheching yow of your good maisteresshipp to be myn good masteres to helpe..vn-to myn..maister [etc.]. 1710 J. Swift 10 Sept. (1948) I. 12 I..saw my mistress, Ophy Butler's wife, who is grown a little charmless. 1710 J. Swift 1 Oct. (1948) I. 37 To desire him to engage lady Hyde as my mistress to engage lord Hyde in favour of Mr. Pratt. 4. society > authority > control > person in control > [noun] > woman a1425 J. Wyclif (1869) I. 380 Oure Ladi..is special maistiresse to distroie þes heretikes. 1577 tr. ‘F. de L'Isle’ sig. Kiij The Cardinal knew that so long as the Queene mother was Mistresse, the accomptes should neuer be taken. a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1590) iii. iii. sig. Kk6 While you say I am mistresse of your life, I am not mistresse of mine owne. 1592 Queen Elizabeth I Let. to James VI in (1821) 19 11 That any lewd..subject of myne, should make his Soveraen be supposed of less gouvernement than mistres of her word. 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot i. lxx. 111 The World is turned topsie-turvie in this Island; for the Women are the Mistresses there. 1749 H. Fielding VI. xvi. ii. 13 She was sovereign Mistress of his Inclinations. View more context for this quotation 1794 A. Radcliffe IV. i. 11 You are your own mistress. 1807 G. Crabbe Parish Reg. ii, in 70 And now at Sixty, that pert Dame to see, Of all thy Savings Mistress, and of Thee. 1869 A. Trollope iii. 81 He is his own master, my dear;—and you, Dorothy, are your own mistress. 1902 A. Bennett 212 Experience had taught her this: to be the mistress of herself. 1929 T. Wolfe xxvii. 383 She would be generous, but she would be mistress. 1986 A. Powell xxxvi. 225 None the less, she was perfectly calm, mistress, as ever, of the situation. society > authority > control > person in control > [noun] > woman > thing personified as 1509 A. Barclay (Pynson) f. clxxxxviv This pryde is lady and maystres Ouer womankynde. 1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Pref. sig. **vi Christ wrought by a powre, that is mistresse of Nature. 1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne ii. xi. 244 I know his reason..so absolute mistris over him, that she can never give him way to any vicious desire. 1614 T. Jackson iii. 239 An infallible authoritie which may sit as Iudge and mistresse of all controuersies of faith. a1732 F. Atterbury (1734) II. 200 The Mind of Man is..so little Mistress of strict Attention, so unable to fix itself steddily even on God. 1745 E. Young 27 Pleasure's the Mistress of Ethereal Pow'rs. 1785 W. Cowper iv. 703 Ere yet her ear was mistress of their powers. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Gardener's Daughter in (new ed.) II. 22 Such a lord is Love, And Beauty such a mistress of the world. 1884 7 June 731/1 England is still mistress of the situation on the Nile. the mind > possession > possessor > [noun] > female a1513 J. Irland (1926) I. 112 For sche was queyne and mastres of all wertuis. 1551 T. Wilson Ep. sig. Aiiijv I haue first labored to bring so noble a mistresse, both of reason, and iudgement, acquainted with so noble a countre. 1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne i. xl. 137 [The soule is] the efficient cause and mistris of condition. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 3 I show more mirth then I am mistresse of. View more context for this quotation 1665 R. Boyle v. ix. sig. Ll8v The Collection..is..such, as if the Mistress of it were less handsome than she is, might give her as well Cause to be jealous of these fine things. 1703 N. Rowe ii. i. 15 If I was ever Mistress of such Happiness. 1746 J. Hervey (1818) 251 The little creature..shewed herself mistress of every grace which constitutes or embellishes harmony. 1766 Dec. 587 A strong bodied mare, mistress of 16 stone. 1823 W. Scott II. iv. 91 The pretty mute was mistress of many little accomplishments. 1930 2 Apr. 387/1 I now know..that every Polish lady..was mistress of the purest coloratura, and could release it at a moment's notice. 1594 T. Nashe sig. G3v Who..hath no wittie, but a clownish dull flegmatike puppie to his mistres. 1714 A. Pope (new ed.) i. 7 Shock, who thought she slept too long, Leapt up, and wak'd his Mistress with his Tongue. 1782 W. Cowper iv. 13 ‘Sweet Poll!’ his doting mistress cries. 1839 P. J. Bailey 169 The lap-dog dreams, as round he lies, In moonshine of his mistress' eyes. 1884 A. W. Stirling 190 She habitually rode a skittish pony..who used to buck, or, as she called it, pig jump for about five minutes after its mistress got seated. 1921 J. Galsworthy ii. i. 119 He went as a well-natured dog goes for a walk with its mistress, leaving a choice mutton-bone on the lawn. 1988 M. Chabon vii. 78 The dog, relaxed and regal and leisurely only moments before, shrank from her mistress's touch. †5. the mind > emotion > love > a lover > [noun] > one who is loved or a sweetheart > specifically a female sweetheart or girlfriend c1425 in R. H. Robbins (1952) 152 Now good swet hart & myn ane good mestrys I dew recumend me to yower pety. c1450 (c1375) G. Chaucer 251 Me, that ye calden your maistresse, Your sovereyne lady in this world here. 1509 S. Hawes (1845) xviii. 83 You are my lady, you are my masteres, Whome I shall serve with all my gentylnes. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iv. 174 I giue thee this For thy sweet Mistris sake, because thou lou'st her. View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals iii, in tr. Virgil 14 To the dear Mistress of my Love-sick Mind, Her Swain a pretty Present has design'd. 1702 I. i. 11 How Gallant..a thing it would be, for his Highness..to fetch home his Mistris. 1750 S. Johnson No. 28. ⁋3 How few faults a man, in the first raptures of love, can discover in the person or conduct of his mistress. 1755 J. G. Cooper xiii. 90 This grand secret..lies in this short Precept, Never lose the Mistress in the Wife; a Text of Bullion sense. 1823 C. Lamb Mod. Gallantry in 185 It was during their short courtship,..that he had been one day treating his mistress with a profusion of civil speeches. 1868 J. T. Nettleship i. 19 The lovers fail by reason of their mistresses' misappreciation. 1891 T. Hardy II. xxxiii. 157 A last jaunt in her company while they were yet mere lover and mistress. the world > animals > family unit > [noun] > female > female mate 1692 R. L'Estrange cxxiii The Other Cock had a Good Riddance of his Rival..and had All his Mistresses to Himself again. 1713 J. Gay 13 The Dewlap'd Bull..His well-arm'd Front against his Rival aims, And by the Dint of War his Mistress claims. 1840 XVIII. 477/1 In France they allow twenty mistresses to each cock. 6. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > pre-eminence > [noun] > supreme object in a class or group c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) iv. 4364 (MED) [Penthesilea] Whiche was also, to speke of hardynes, Of wommen alle lady and maistresse. a1492 W. Caxton tr. (1495) i. xxxvi. f. xxxiiv/2 The fayr vertue of charytee, whyche is the maystresse of all vertues. 1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher iii. i. 151 The Lilly That once was Mistris of the Field. View more context for this quotation society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > [noun] > specifically of a country > female c1450 (c1370) G. Chaucer 109 From his ancille he made the maistresse Of hevene and erthe. a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil (1957) i. vi. 44 Maistres of woddis, beis to ws happy and kynd. 1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas ii. ii. 433 That prudent Pallas, Albions Misteris, The Great Eliza. 1686 E. Waller (ed. 5) 244 Ages to come..Will think you Mistriss of the Indies were. 1785 W. Cowper v. 129 Imperial mistress of the fur-clad Russ! c1485 ( G. Hay (2005) 20 The kirk of Rome suld be callit lady and maistress of all cristyn kirkis. 1489 (a1380) J. Barbour (Adv.) i. 550 Arthur..Maid Bretane maistres & lady Off twelf kinrykis that he wan. a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil (1957) i. i. 30 This goddes ettillit..This realme to be superior and mastres To all landis. 1576 W. Lambarde 20 The Westsaxon kingdome, which in the ende became Ladie and maistres of al the rest of the kingdomes. 1611 B. Jonson i. sig. C4v Rome, now, is Mistresse of the whole World, Sea, and Land, to either Pole. View more context for this quotation 1727 J. Arbuthnot 243 What a miserable Spectacle was this for a Nation that had been Mistress at Sea so long? 1785 W. Cowper iv. 169 A Roman meal, Such as the mistress of the world once found Delicious. 1835 C. Thirlwall I. 435 Eretria..was mistress of several islands. 1869 ‘M. Twain’ xxvi. 277 Rome was mistress of the world. 1893 Earl of Dunmore II. 315 Russia, being then determined to make herself mistress of central Asia. 1911 Louisa of Tuscany x. 131 England, even in her partial decadence, still remains the Mistress of the Seas. 1957 W. S. Churchill III. ix. iv. 238 France was once more mistress of Europe. 1990 (Sabena Airlines) July 8/1 Looted and pillaged by the great unwashed of antiquity, the Mistress of the World finally expired in the 6th century AD. society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > [noun] > illicit intimacy > person > a mistress a1439 J. Lydgate (Bodl. 263) i. 2566 Callid..a fals traitouresse..Off newe diffamed, and named a maistresse Off fals moordre. 1611 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero (new ed.) 213 Euery man hath his Mistris, with Instruments of Musicke, and such like pleasures [etc.]. a1631 J. Donne (1959) V. 302 Those women, whom the Kings were to take for their Wives, and not for Mistresses, (which is but a later name for Concubines). 1675 W. Wycherley i. i. 5 And next, to the pleasure of making a New Mistriss, is that of being rid of an old One. 1732 A. Pope True Narr. what passed in London in J. Swift et al. 272 They took to Wife their several kept Mistresses. 1749 J. Cleland I. 184 Had he a mistress?—was she prettier than me?—could he love such a one as I was? 1819 Ld. Byron iv. 142 But soon his wrath being o'er, he took Another mistress, or new book. 1859 T. B. Macaulay William Pitt in (1860) 193 His Protestant mistresses gave less scandal than his Popish wife. 1866 A. Trollope II. vii. 184 For three years I was a man's mistress, and not his wife. 1910 I. 381/1 She was separated from her husband, and became the mistress of Franz Liszt. By Liszt she had three children. 1989 I. Taylor (1990) ix. 104 He decided that he and his wife were not suited and he was therefore justified in taking a mistress. II. A female teacher; a woman qualified to teach, or particularly accomplished in some subject, skill, etc. society > education > teaching > teacher > [noun] > professional teacher society > education > teaching > teacher > schoolteacher or schoolmaster > [noun] > schoolmistress 1340 (1866) 34 Covaytyse. þet is rote of alle kueade..Þet is þe maystresse þet heþ zuo greate scole þet alle guoþ þrin uor to lyerni. c1390 Cato's Distichs (Vernon) 456 in F. J. Furnivall (1901) ii. 591 (MED) Þe lyf of oþure goode men Is Maistres to us alle. c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) ii. 1820 (MED) Wher was þi guyde? wher was þi maistres, Discrecioun? c1450 (c1385) G. Chaucer 33 Venus..hath take him in subjeccioun, And as a maistresse taught him his lessoun. a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara (1546) sig. F.v He prouyded women and maystresses for to teache theim. a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger False One v. iv, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher (1647) sig. Ss3/2 I see calamity Is the best Mistris of Religion, And can convert an Atheist. 1663 J. Heath (ed. 2) 4 From this A. B. C. Discipline and the Slighted Governance of a Mistris, his Father removed him to the Tuition of Dr. Beard. 1697 in (1852) I. 532 Such and so many masters, ushers, mistrisses. 1727 A. Pope Mem. of P. P. in J. Swift et al. II. 270 Even when I was at School, my Mistress did ever extol me above the rest of the Youth. 1783 R. Raikes Let. 25 Nov. in (1784) 54 i. 411/1 Upon the Sunday afternoon, the mistresses take their scholars to church. 1816 J. Austen I. iii. 38 Mrs. Goddard was the mistress of a School. View more context for this quotation 1826 ‘M. Dods’ ii. v. 88 The Masters and Mistresses of Boarding Schools. 1861 C. Dickens II. xvi. 261 I'll tell you, Mr. Pip. I am going to try to get the place of mistress in the new school. 1915 D. H. Lawrence xii. 314 The professional relationship of mistress and scholar always present. 1987 E. E. Smith (1988) iv. 24 Hortense Pomeroy, who as a gym teacher (or games mistress as the Academy's brochure had it) had inhabited an entirely different sphere. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > scholarly knowledge, erudition > intellectual command, mastery > have mastery of [verb] the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > skilful person > a master or mistress the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > scholarly knowledge, erudition > learned person, scholar > [noun] > female the mind > possession > have or possess [verb (transitive)] > possess and control c1440 S. Scrope tr. C. de Pisan (St. John's Cambr.) (1970) 66 Meede..be þe enchauntementis..of þe which she was a souereyne maistres, made charmes. a1456 (a1449) J. Lydgate (1934) ii. 467 Prynce, þereuers to expresse Of yche thing by contynaunce: Entendement Double is cheef maystresse. 1484 W. Caxton tr. v. 221 I am a maystresse in medecyn. 1535 Nahum iii. 4 The fayre and beutifull harlot: which is a mastresse of wychcraft. 1590 E. Spenser i. vii. sig. F6 Great maistresse of her art was that false Dame. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iv. 582 I cannot say, 'tis pitty She lacks Instructions, for she seemes a Mistresse To most that teach. View more context for this quotation 1712 J. Addison No. 92. ¶5 I would advise all young Wives to make themselves Mistresses of Wingate's Arithmetick. 1718 N. Rowe tr. Lucan vi. 912 Hail! mighty Mistress of Hæmonian arts. 1749 H. Fielding II. iv. v. 35 She was a perfect Mistress of Music, and would never willingly have played any but Handel's. View more context for this quotation 1802 A. Seward (1811) VI. 48 Who is such a mistress, where I am so shallow a student. 1881 H. James I. iii. 24 She affirmed that the British laundress..was not a mistress of her art. 1888 J. Bryce III. cii. 445 Degree titles.., Mistress of Polite Literature, Mistress of Music. 1913 W. J. Locke xiii. 156 The hard-bitten vagabond of the highroad has his or her well-defined means of livelihood. This was a mistress of mumpery. 1930 W. S. Maugham xii. 146 I wish..I had had the sense..to take notes of her conversation, for Mrs. Hudson was a mistress of Cockney humour. 1990 30 July 56/2 The legendary mistress of soul-singing. III. As a form of address, or a title of rank, courtesy, or office. 10. the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous forms of address or title > [noun] > for woman ?a1425 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius i. pr. iv. 161 O Maystresse, what demestow of this? a1450 (Pierpont Morgan) (1865) 8719 Maistres god you spede! ?1471 W. Worcester in (2004) II. 355 Ye know welle, maistras, better ys a frende vnknow then knowen. a1513 H. Bradshaw (1521) i. i. sig. a.iiii Blessed vyrgyn Werburge, my holy patronesse Helpe me to endyte, I praye the swete maystresse. a1535 T. More (1553) ii. sig. F.iii Forsoth maistres quod he, your husband loueth wel to talke. 1598 W. Shakespeare v. ii. 823 Studdies my Ladie? Mistres looke on me. View more context for this quotation a1612 J. Harington Brief View Church of Eng. in (1804) II. 16 [Queen Elizabeth to the wife of Archbishop Parker] And you, (saith she) Madam I may not call you, and Mistress I am ashamed to call you, so I know not what to call you, but yet I do thanke you. 1667 J. Milton ix. 532 Wonder not, sovran Mistress, if perhaps Thou canst, who art sole Wonder, much less arm Thy looks..with disdain. View more context for this quotation 1722 D. Defoe 251 I was no sooner got into the Street, but I saw another Woman come to me, O! says she, Mistress, in a piteous Tone. 1824 J. Hogg 91 ‘Pray, mistress, what is your name?’ ‘My name is Arabella Calvert’, said the other: ‘Miss, mistress, or widow, as you chuse, for I have been all the three’. 1957 F. A. Collymore (ed. 2) 57 The archaic nominative of address has survived in Barbados..as, I want some more butter, mistress. Mistress, you want any useful limes? 1966 1 Feb. 8/4 I would be very glad to get out of this hard country [sc. Jamaica], mistress. 1985 J. Kesson (1986) 41 ‘That doesn't bring them back, Mistress,’ Alex Ewan pointed out. 2018 I. Howat in (Scots Lang. Soc.) Apr. 2 Beggin yer pardon, Mistress, whit wiz that? 1883 M. R. Lahee vi [Father to daughter] But let me tell thee one thing, mistress: if ever I catch thee wi' him I'll mischieve th' pair on yo'. 11. Used as a title of politeness. the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous forms of address or title > [noun] > title > for a woman > for married woman ?c1450 T. Gnatyshale in (2004) II. 338 To my ryght worchepfull Mastres Paston. 1463 in S. Tymms (1850) 36 (MED) I..be qwethe to my maistresse Clopton a spoon of berell. 1471 J. Paston in (2004) I. 443 Iff it come to Mestresse Elysabeȝ Hyggens..sche schall comveye it to me. 1552 H. Latimer (1584) 288 Hee styred vp mistris Pilate, which tooke a nap in the morning. 1570 J. Foxe (rev. ed.) II. 2277/2 One Mistres Anne Lacy, widowe in Notinghamshyre. 1631 T. Powell 141 To abate the fury of Mistrisse Overcount mine hostesse. 1782 W. Cowper 65 Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Had two stone bottles found. 1825 T. Hood & J. H. Reynolds 29 I like your chocolate, good Mistress Fry! 1890 M. Oliphant II. xiv. 242 ‘Lady Campbell of—?’ ‘Mistress Campbell,’ said Mary. She felt even in that moment a little taken down. 1924 I. Irwin in June 14/3 Coolness..freshened by odors from Mistress Montjoy's early-blooming garden, flowed into the unaired languor of the room. 1966 14 Dec. 8/4 We go..to see Mistress Gladys Walker... Here [i.e. in Barbados], Mrs is often spoken out, in full. 1994 No. 77. 25 ‘We'll soon scrub the fish smell off her’ says Mistress Clark. the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous forms of address or title > [noun] > title > for a woman > young or unmarried 1474 J. Paston in (2004) I. 590 Myn own fayir Mastresse Annes, I prey you [to] accepte thys byll [etc.]. c1535 E. Shelley in M. A. E. Wood (1846) II. 213 Your letter,..by the which I do perceive your pleasure is to know how mistress Bridget your daughter doth. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. i. 174 Oh heauen: This is Mistresse Anne Page. View more context for this quotation 1641 (1817) V. 625/1 The said Maistres Anna Gray onlie dochter..to the said Andro Lord Gray. 1710 J. Swift 30 Nov. (1948) I. 109 So, here is mistress Stella again with her two eggs. 1787 J. Nichols in R. Steele 1 She is styled here, according to the mode of the time when this letter was written, not Miss, but Mistress [in form Mrs. in original letters] Scurlock, though her mother was still living. 1818 H. J. Todd (at cited word) Miss, Mistress was then the style of grown up unmarried ladies, though the mother was living; and, for a considerable part of the [18th] century, maintained its ground against the infantine term of miss. society > society and the community > social class > nobility > title > title or form of address for persons of rank > [noun] > for woman of rank > additional title 1541 (1889) I. 410 Such obprobrious words as one Walter Coke shold haw spokyn by Maisteras Mayras. 1598 f. 110v For ane chayare to the maistres nureis. 1636 sig. A4v Mastris Queene my Master, for valt of a better presence has sent you here a Million. 1577 R. Holinshed II. 1513/1 Some profite the husbandmen in some partes of the realme gotte by the mouing of this matter, where the inclosures were already layde open, ere mistresse money coulde preuente them. 1599 W. Shakespeare iii. v. 151 Mistresse minion you? Thanke me no thankings, nor proud me no prouds. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. ii. 44 I Mistris Bride, hath that awakened you? View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. i. 234 Mistris line, is not this my Ierkin? View more context for this quotation society > authority > office > holder of office > official of royal or great household > [noun] > in charge of clothes > female 1710 J. Chamberlayne (ed. 23) 542 Mistress of the Robes, Sarah Dutchess of Marlborough. 1769 116 The great duchess [of Tuscany], attended by her great mistress, and the ladies of honour. 1874 A. Trollope I. xxxi. 254 It was a question whether she should not be asked to be Mistress of the Robes, though those who asked it knew very well that she was the last woman in England to hamper herself by dependence on the Court. 1952 F. G. Roe xi. 93 The ‘Sutherland Table’,..its name a reminder of that Duchess of Sutherland who had been Queen Victoria's Mistress of the Robes. IV. Technical senses. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > bowls or bowling > [noun] > jack a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1590) iii. xiv. sig. Qq7 Zelmane (vsing her own bias to bowle neer the mistresse of her owne thoughtes). 1598 J. Florio Properly the maister or mistres at bowels or quoits. 1600 sig. G3 Though I come late, I hope to lie as neare the Mistresse as any of ye all. 1609 W. Shakespeare iii. ii. 49 So so, rub on and kisse the mistresse . View more context for this quotation 1680 C. Cotton (ed. 2) iii. 36 The World..where most are..wrong byassed, and some few justle in to the Mistress, Fortune! the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > seed > [noun] > parts of > plumule or rudimentary shoot a1722 E. Lisle (1752) 281 The little mistress or plume (from whence the flower arises). the world > matter > light > artificial light > an artificial light > [noun] > lamp > lantern > types of 1848 124 Mistress, a lantern used by the drivers in the main air-ways. 1849 24 Dec. 5/2 Drivers are supplied with lanterns—called..‘mistresses’, by the pit. 1849 G. C. Greenwell 36 Mistress, an oblong box, wanting the front side, carried upright; the use of which is to carry a lighted candle in a current of air. 1893 R. O. Heslop Mistress,..an oblong box wanting the front side, which is left unglazed and open. †B. adj. ( attributive). the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > pre-eminence > [adjective] a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1595) sig. D1 So yet are they all directed to the highest end of the mistres Knowledge..Arkitecktoniké. 1600 W. Shakespeare ii. iv. 133 Heele make your Paris Louer shake for it, Were it the mistresse Court of mightie Europe. 1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny I. xvi. xliii. 493 Ioyners doe chuse the mistresse threadie graine [Fr. transl. maistresse veine] that is most streight. 1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne i. xxvii. 92 After this generall communitie, the mistris and worthiest part of it [etc.]. 1611 R. Cotgrave at Maistresse La maistresse Eglise, a Cathedrall Church, the mistresse Church, or chiefe Church in a Towne. 1613 T. Jackson i. 110 Rome..the Mistresse-citie of the world. 1641 W. Stokes sig. D The ninth Passe, called The Mistresse Command. 1667 R. Boyle (ed. 2) 291 Subjected to the predominant Mistresse Forme. 1899 J. W. Mackail II. 198 Through the mistress-art to all the other subordinate arts. Compounds C1. General attributive. 1802 Mrs. Guthrie xlviii. 152 I am sure that a mistress-market must be a curious subject to the polished nations of Europe. 1989 56 532 Restoration theater participated in the phallic economy that commodified women..in the mistress market. 1609 T. Dekker sig. C4v But [be] thou a Reueller and a Mistris-seruer all the yeare. C2. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > bowls or bowling > [noun] > jack 1598 J. Florio The mistres bowle to caste at. Derivatives a1593 W. Raleigh (1892) 78 She mistress-like makes all things to be pure. 1654 R. Whitlock 486 Let who will commend their Mistresse-like-chosen Arts. 2001 www.monstersinmotion.com 20 Nov. (O.E.D. Archive) Her mistress-like character is strongly expressed with the extreme care for the high detailed dressing and accessories she comes with. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022). mistressv. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: mistress n. Now rare. 1579 J. Stubbs sig. D3v Both she and we poore soules, are to be mastered, and, which is worse, mistrised to. 1603 C. Heydon xii. 318 Neither could Venus in coniunction with Mars cause any to mistresse another mans wife. 3. 1716 R. Palmer Let. 25 Aug. in M. M. Verney (1930) II. xxii. 43 We here are in a very Hopefull way, this being my Wive's ninth day, and I hope she will be able to Mistress it in the family in a little time. 1819 ‘R. Rabelais’ 11 Care not a farthing, but resolv'd To mistress it with men they lov'd. 1867 21 Dec. 803/1 She has been meekly round half the circle of mistresses,..when one looks full at her, and asks particulars of her work. A bargain is struck; the old woman is mistressed; and she who has mistressed her betakes herself off. 1904 M. Hewlett i. viii. 117 You are too masterful, my girl... I do not choose to be mistressed by a maid of honour. 1978 P. Blackburn tr. G. de Cabestanh in 192 Now totally and in full you mistress me, How overmastered I am, I can scarce say. 2005 D. Poyer i. 42 He was swiftly caressed, undressed, and mistressed violently as on a galloping horse. 1802 H. Martin III. 74 Not but I am surprised too to be ‘mistressed’, and to hear them talking of my child. 1832 Apr. 634/2 ‘Mistress Margaret’—‘Mistress me nae mistresses! there's ne'er a wife i' the parish has a right to be mistressed, since she deeit wha's wean e wad betray!’ 1856 C. Reade II. xxii. 218 This one is a first-rate gilder, she mistressed it entirely in three days. 1916 28 June 646/1 A degree should be obtained in whatever line of activity a student expects to pursue in life's work, whether mastering or ‘mistressing’ Greek or husband and babies! 1963 M. McCarthy 105 Had she mastered (mistressed?) the idiom. 1991 F. Cooper (BNC) 81 ‘What's this?’ said Piggy-wig, straddling a chair with the triumph of one who has mistressed a Zanussi automatic. 2009 W. Clifford 48 There was a daughter lovely in her ways who when her father gave a pen at Yule mistressed calligraphy. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022). <  n.adj.c1330 v.1579 |
