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

"Why," said Khrushchev "my own son married a Jewess."

From Time Magazine Archive

Outside stood a beautiful Jewess with four armed Yemenite Jews.

From Time Magazine Archive

If the apocryphal Jewess was as fascinating as Rosemary Harris' portrayal of her, it is not difficult to believe that she could save Israel with her beauty and courage.

From Time Magazine Archive

Thinking of this, Francie stared at the Pregnant Jewess.

From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith