portress

[ pawr-tris, pohr- ]

noun

1. a woman who has charge of a door or gate; a female doorkeeper.

portress

/ ˈpɔːtrɪs /

noun

1. a female porter, esp a doorkeeper

Gender Note

See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of portress¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; porter ², -ess

Example Sentences

This morning, an hour before matins, the bell of the religious house of St. Hermand--you know it well, Count, I dare say, a mile or so beyond the ch�ne vert--was rung loudly, and on the portress opening the gate, four men, with their faces covered, carried in the body of one of the novices, called Claire Duval, who had been absent the whole night, causing great alarm.

From Project Gutenberg

Then rushing back as fast as possible, he called all the rest of his troop to arms, and with the mere handful that assembled in a moment, rushed out by the gate through which the portress of the convent had entered, and attempted to cast himself in the way of the head of the enemy's column.

From Project Gutenberg

"Only a poor old woman," replied a voice from without, half opening the door, "only a poor old woman soliciting charity and peace;" and a minute after, with timid and shaking steps, a woman, dressed in a grey gown like the portress of some convent, gradually drew herself within the doorway, and crossed herself twenty times in a minute, as she gazed upon the two Protestants sitting with the gloom of their late conversation still upon their faces.

From Project Gutenberg

I forgot to tell you, that as we paused before this building on the night that I was brought hither, while the gates were being opened by the portress, a horseman rode up to the side of the carriage and gazed in.

From Project Gutenberg

The portress, the lay sisters, the visiters, obtained the news of the hour from those without, and communicated it to the nuns within.

From Project Gutenberg