peeress

[peer-is]

noun

1. the wife or widow of a peer.

2. a woman having in her own right the rank of a peer.

peeress

/ ˈpɪərɪs /

noun

1. the wife or widow of a peer

2. a woman holding the rank of a peer in her own right

Gender Note

See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of peeress¹

First recorded in 1680–90; peer ² + -ess

Example Sentences

However, on her appointment as minister for Europe, she became a peeress in her own right.

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The next day’s Times heralded the event as the “birth of international television,” marveling that American viewers “probably saw more than the peers and peeresses in their seats in the transept.”

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A number of Private Member's Bills followed, as did motions set down by Lord Astor, the husband of Nancy Astor - the first woman MP - but all failed to get peeresses into the Lords.

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The new London régime exactly suits the future peeresses of the old country when they are fresh from New York.

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When the cavalcade stops there is a stir among the peeresses, for they cannot see round the corner, and are much disgusted by the fact.

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