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definitions

shepherdess

[shep-er-dis]
See more synonyms for shepherdess on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a girl or woman who herds sheep.
  2. a rural girl.

Origin of shepherdess

First recorded in 1350–1400, shepherdess is from the Middle English word shepherdesse. See shepherd, -ess

Usage note

See -ess.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for shepherdess

herdsman, herder, watcher, teacher, caretaker, watch, pastor, guide, guard, minister, escort, tender, attendant, protector, leader, pilot, shepherdess, pastoralist

Examples from the Web for shepherdess

Historical Examples of shepherdess

  • Upon this delightful object the shepherdess gazed with an unwearied regard.

    Imogen

    William Godwin

  • The heart of the shepherdess had instinctively vibrated to the praises of simplicity.

    Imogen

    William Godwin

  • The shepherdess had listened to all the horrors of the scene with a gloomy kind of satisfaction.

    Imogen

    William Godwin

  • His "Robene and Makyne" is a "disputoison" between a shepherd and shepherdess.

  • She was a shepherdess to the core, and hated the poor "Packhorse."

Word Origin and History for shepherdess
n.

late 14c., from shepherd + -ess.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper