villageress

English

Etymology

From villager +‎ -ess.

Noun

villageress (plural villageresses) (dated)

1. A female villager.
   • 1872, Henry James Byron, “Scene 1.—Outside of the Inn.”, in Robert Macaire; or, the Roadside inn turned inside out. An original burlesque extravaganza, Lacy, Thomas Hailes, page 3:

     The Head Waiter and the Adopted Son—the arrival of the Guests—a model Father-in-Law—Fresh Visitors, who, having broken loose, proceed to break-fast—the unwelcome Guest—Can it be? No! and yet—the fat Germeuil demonstrates his pursey-ness, and Macaire makes up his mind to himself, and makes up himself to a villageress, in which example he is to followed by Jacques, the result being a general conglomerated international nonsensical Can-Can.

   • 1873, Mortimer Collins, “Chapter II. Harold Tachbrook at Rothescamp.”, in Miranda: A Midsummer Madness, volume 2, page 22:

     Miranda was worshipped. The villageresses were terribly jealous at first; but when they saw her move among them with the perfect dignity that knows no pride, and treat their sweethearts with an easy courtesy that implies no condescension, they began to understand.

   • 1921, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, “To Sorgono”, in Sea and Sardinia, New York, N.Y.: Thomas Seltzer, →OCLC, page 173:

     Every villager and villageress just betook himself at need to one of the side-roads.