ancestress

[ an-ses-trisor, especially British, -suh-stris ]

noun

1. a woman from whom a person is descended.

Gender Note

What's the difference between ancestress and ancestor? See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ancestress¹

First recorded in 1570–80; ancest(o)r + -ess

Example Sentences

A divine ancestress of the Bantiks, a tribe inhabiting the Celebes Islands, came down from the sky with seven companions to bathe.

From Project Gutenberg

The name of Keturah their ancestress means "incense," and points to the incense-bearing lands of the south.

From Project Gutenberg

She was ancestress of the present Earl of Derby, and founded a perpetual chantry.

From Project Gutenberg

This same ancestress lay buried in Kensington Church, in front of the pulpit.

From Project Gutenberg

I say there must needs be this similarity, because the ancestress was Romany.

From Project Gutenberg