foundress

[foun-dris]

noun

1. a woman who establishes something, as an institution or religious order; founder.

Gender Note

See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of foundress¹

1400–50; late Middle English founderesse; founder ¹, -ess

Example Sentences

The nuns had been preparing for the addition of a St. Joseph shrine, and that involved “the reinterment of the remains of our beloved foundress, Sister Wilhelmina,” the statement said.

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“So Pocahontas becomes a foundress of the country with early Americans.”

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Because of the order’s foundress, the nuns pray in French three times a week and English the rest of the time.

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Jerkofsky said she combined that with the Sisters of St. Francis Immaculate’s foundress’s approach to service - to look for the greatest need, the one in front of you.

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“The foundress was an extremely savvy businesswoman and financially astute,” Ms. Reed said.

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