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 antique portress stared as though amazed at such a confession of ignorance.

From Zigzag Journeys in Europe Vacation Rambles in Historic Lands by Butterworth, Hezekiah

"These are the windows of the rooms occupied by my lady the Queen-Regent," whispered the portress, Rebeca, pointing upwards; "but promise me to commit no murder or do any hurt to the little maid."

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

"Oh," said the portress, "it is a convent of the Sacr� Cœur."

From Story of My Life, volumes 1-3 by Hare, Augustus J. C.

She replied, Good:—and the mistress of the house seated herself upon a couch of alabaster, overlaid with gold and silver, and said to the portress and the cateress, Now perform your parts.

From The Thousand and One Nights, Vol. I. Commonly Called the Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Anonymous