portress

American  

[pawr-tris, pohr-] / ˈpɔr trɪs, ˈpoʊr- /

noun

1. a woman who has charge of a door or gate; a female doorkeeper.

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portress British  

/ ˈpɔːtrɪs /

noun

1. a female porter, esp a doorkeeper

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Gender

See -ess.

Etymology

Origin of portress

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at porter ², -ess

Example Sentences

A portress stopped me by the cloakroom at the main entrance.

From Time Magazine Archive

The outer portals remained swung back all day; but the light inner doors were opened and closed on demand by old Bianca, the portress, who lived in a dusky den under the staircase.

From Dorothy and other Italian Stories by Woolson, Constance Fenimore

In a few moments a sour-faced portress opened the little square wicket and looked through at him.

From The Firebrand by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

“But what shall I say to the portress, who has never seen me go out, and will ask me where I am going?”

From The Betrothed From the Italian of Alessandro Manzoni by Manzoni, Alessandro

"Goodness me, yes!" put in the portress, a debonair matron, taking up her knitting again.

From The Sword of Honor, volumes 1 & 2 or The Foundation of the French Republic, A Tale of The French Revolution by Sue, Eug?ne