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
“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 Alessandro Manzoni
In a few moments a sour-faced portress opened the little square wicket and looked through at him.
From The Firebrand by S. R. (Samuel Rutherford) Crockett
She passed the portress without saying a word, and lightly ran upstairs.
From Froth by Armando Palacio Vald?s
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 G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James
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