arbitress
Americannoun
noun
Usage
What does arbitress mean? Arbitress is a word for a woman who is an arbitrator—an independent, impartial third party that works to settle a dispute between two opposing sides, often by making a decision that they both agree to. This process is called arbitration. To act as an arbitrator is to arbitrate. These terms are especially used in the context of negotiations between businesses and labor unions as well as in international disputes. Many once widely-used gender-specific terms that identify a particular professional person as a woman (such as stewardess) are now much less commonly used. The word arbitress is particularly rare. It’s possible that a woman may use the term arbitress to identify her position or profession, but this is not common. Using the word to refer to a woman who is an arbitrator is likely to be seen as offensive due to implying that her gender is somehow relevant to her role.
Gender
What's the difference between arbitress and arbiter? See -ess.
Etymology
Origin of arbitress
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French arbitresse, equivalent to arbitre arbit(e)r + -esse -ess
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
So she bids him; so he crowns her— "My great white queen, my spirit's arbitress, Magnificent . . ."
From Browning's Heroines by Armfield, Maxwell
August in native worth and regal state, Anna sate arbitress of Europe's fate; To distant realms did every accent fly, And nations watch'd each motion of her eye.
From The Poetical Works of Edward Young, Volume 2 by Young, Edward
He loved her so tenderly that from the first day of their marriage he had constituted her the arbitress of his wishes.
From The Old Yellow Book Source of Robert Browning's The Ring and the Book by Anonymous
On the other hand, Mary Darcy, as arbitress at stations, wakes, and weddings, had a wide influence in the parish, and I fear used to speak contemptuously sometimes of my housekeeper.
From My New Curate by Sheehan, Patrick Augustine
It is the arbitress in the choice of good and evil and is under no obligation to render an account of its doings to any one....
From England and Germany by Hughes, William Morris
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
