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.
But even this, true and healthful as it is, fades before a single word of commendation from the new arbitress of your feeling.
From Dream Life A Fable Of The Seasons by Donald Grant Mitchell
Crown me your queen, your spirit's arbitress, Magnificent in sin.
From Browning's Heroines by Maxwell Armfield
Mr. Trevelyan then related the foregoing sallies to the fair arbitress, who listened with keen relish and enjoyment.
From Lady Rosamond's Secret A Romance of Fredericton by Rebecca Agatha Armour
Come forth, then, injured simplicity;—of your own cause you shall be now the arbitress.
From John Bull The Englishman's Fireside: A Comedy, in Five Acts by George Colman
The queen "sat arbitress," and perhaps prolonged her deliberations on the question, for the pleasure of receiving homage more than usually assiduous from both factions.
From Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth by Lucy Aikin
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.
