Jewess

American  

[joo-is] / ˈdʒu ɪs /

noun

Older Use: Usually Offensive.

1. a term used to refer to a Jewish girl or woman.

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Jewess British  

/ ˈdʒuːɪs /

noun

1. offensive a Jewish girl or woman

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Sensitive Note

First used in the Middle Ages, the term Jewess has been an inoffensive, neutral term for most of its history. With the advent of the civil rights and feminist movements of the 1960s, it began to be considered condescending and has since declined in use. See also -ess.

Etymology

Origin of Jewess

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English jewesse; see origin at Jew, -ess

Example Sentences

They were pursued by agents and producers, and wrote a pilot for HBO about a female superhero called Jewess Jones.

From The New Yorker • Dec. 14, 2015

The most amiable entanglement takes place between Rose Berman. a Jewess, and John Cooper, a gentile sailor boy who loves her on leave and off.

From Time Magazine Archive

Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, who reigned 24 centuries ago 'from India to Ethiopia, that he put away his proud wife Vashti and espoused a modest, pretty Jewess named Esther.

From Time Magazine Archive

In Israel recently an American ex-Army captain tried to marry a Jewess.

From Time Magazine Archive

Thinking of this, Francie stared at the Pregnant Jewess.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith