foundress

[ foun-dris ]

noun

1. a woman who establishes something, as an institution or religious order; founder.

Gender Note

See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of foundress¹

1400–50; late Middle English founderesse; founder ¹, -ess

Example Sentences

Fabiola, at Rome, is the foundress of the first important hospital in that city.

From Project Gutenberg

Was not the princess and foundress of good arts, Minerva, born of the brain of highest Jove, a woman?

From Project Gutenberg

The daughter of the foundress, named Mildred, ruled over the community, and afterwards was canonized.

From Project Gutenberg

The finest of the towers was erected in 1242 by Hugues of Lusignan, and named after Mlusine, the mythical foundress of the family.

From Project Gutenberg

We cannot believe that Wadham escaped the contagion, and remained what its Foundress meant it to be.

From Project Gutenberg