countess

[ koun-tis ]

/ ˈkaʊn tɪs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR countess ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the wife or widow of a count in the nobility of Continental Europe or of an earl in the British peerage.

a woman having the rank of a count or earl in her own right.

Nearby words

Origin of countess

1125–75; Middle English c(o)untesse < Anglo-French. See count², -ess

Usage note

See -ess.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for countess

Kate - known as the Countess of Strathearn when north of the border - wore £425 blue and grey coat by British label Moloh.
Kate, William and Tartan Bump Tour Scotland|Tom Sykes|April 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Just look at their company: Countess LuAnn, Steve Harvey, Jessica Seinfeld, Paris Hilton.
‘Pot Psychology’: The Stoners’ Guide to Life|Adam Auriemma|November 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Also present were Andrew and his daughter Princess Beatrice, and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.
Kate Middleton Stuns in Temperley Dress|Tom Sykes|October 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The Royal visit by the Earl and Countess of Wessex to the territory raised tensions in Spain.
Edward's Visit to Gibraltar Stirs Up Spanish Anger|Tom Sykes|June 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The Countess deftly steered the lifeboat, a resolute and unlikely vision in her ermine and pearls.
The Titanic’s Haute Heroine: The Countess of Rothes|Elizabeth Kaye|April 12, 2012|DAILY BEAST
As the light flashed on the face of the countess, Peretori could see that she was visibly disturbed.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White
Countess Ammiani obtained her consent that she would not quit her side.
Vittoria, Complete|George Meredith
The countess bounded up on the sofa and the duke wiped his forehead with his handkerchief.
The Mesmerist's Victim|Alexandre Dumas
I heard that this lady' (bowing to the Countess) 'was his daughter.'
Evan Harrington, Complete|George Meredith
The countess fell back a step, and stared at the abbé, her face all astonishment.
Black Diamonds|Mr Jkai

British Dictionary definitions for countess

countess

/ (ˈkaʊntɪs) /

noun

the wife or widow of a count or earl

a woman of the rank of count or earl

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for countess

countess

mid-12c., adopted in Anglo-French for "the wife of an earl," from Medieval Latin cometissa, fem. of Latin comes "count" (see count (n.)).

countess

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of countess

Usage note

Examples from the Web for countess

countess

noun

countess