butleressn.
/ˈbʌtlərᵻs/, /bʌtləˈrɛs/, U.S. /ˈbətlərəs/ Now chiefly historical or archaic.
A female butler.The gender-neutral butler is now usually preferred.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > service > servant > personal or domestic servant > domestic servant > [noun] > butler > woman
butleress?1614
?1614 G. Chapman tr. Homer Odysses iii. 42 His sweet-wine cup..Which now the Butleresse [Gk. ταμίη] had leaue t'employ.
1796 T. Pennant Hist. Whiteford & Holywell 23 It seems that the butleress, or female butler, had, in her repeated visits to the cellar, sipped too plentifully of the cwrw.
1860 Sat. Rev. 7 Jan. 13/1 Is the porter to be a daughter of the plough? What of the committee, the stewardess, and the butleress?
1895 Table Talk Sept. 322/1 The two butleresses she employs at present are handsome twin Swedes.
1915 J. M. Lippmann Burkeses Amy vii. 91 Amy noticed she had her working-apron on... ‘My stars, Ellen, but you're a fearful stylish butleress!’ she jibed.
1977 Times 28 July 8/5 The butleress (or is that contrary to the Equal Opportunities Commission ruling?) tells me there is a telephone call.
1999 Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 13 July b12/2 Shortly after the first World War, she was persuaded to go to Kingston by Mr. R. E. Bonitto to run his household as a butleress.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2018; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.?1614