headmistress
|head-mis-tress|
/ˈhɛdˌmɪstrəs/
female school leader
Etymology
'headmistress' originates from the combination of 'head' and 'mistress', where 'head' refers to the leader or chief, and 'mistress' refers to a woman in authority.
'headmistress' evolved from the term 'mistress' used in the 15th century to denote a woman in authority, combined with 'head' to specify the role of a school leader.
Initially, 'mistress' meant a woman in authority, but over time, 'headmistress' specifically evolved to denote a female school principal.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a woman who is the principal or head of a school, especially a private school.
The headmistress addressed the students during the morning assembly.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/02/20 13:51