portress
Americannoun
noun
Gender
See -ess.
Etymology
Origin of portress
late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at porter 2, -ess
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A portress stopped me by the cloakroom at the main entrance.
From Time Magazine Archive
"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
While I was hesitating, uncertain as to what I should do, Pomponne opened my door and announced with emphasis: "Madame Potrelle, concierge or portress!"
From Fr?d?rique; vol. 2 by Kock, Charles Paul de
I am beginning to get tired of my portress, who is forty-five years old and has one leg shorter than the other; it is true that she overwhelms me with kindnesses.
From The Barber of Paris by Kock, Charles Paul de
Why, I do not know," replied the portress, still sturdily setting her face against their passage; "there was another person waiting on the outside to show you the way, till just a minute ago.
From Henry of Guise; (Vol. III of 3) or, The States of Blois by James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
