mediatrix

[ mee-dee-ey-triks ]

noun

, plural me·di·a·tri·ces [mee-dee-, uh, -, trahy, -seez, -, ey, -tri-seez], me·di·a·trix·es.

1. a woman who mediates, especially between parties at variance.

Gender Note

See -ess, -trix.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mediatrix¹

1425–75; late Middle English < Late Latin mediātrīx, feminine of mediātor mediator; -trix

Example Sentences

She obligingly consented to act as mediatrix in the matter.

From Literature

She affected to be equally well inclined to both, and even assumed the character of mediatrix.

From Project Gutenberg

She seems to be desirous of holding the balance, of being in some sort a mediatrix, and of courting the offers of each by her supposed importance to both.

From Project Gutenberg

This tender mediatrix between us and the Eternal, with a heart full of compassion for our miseries, forces us to confide in her maternal aid, and disarms the vengeance of Heaven.

From Project Gutenberg

Under the circumstances the negress was his sole hope and chance; he pressed her into his service and made her Mercury and mediatrix in one.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Mediatrix

What does mediatrix mean?

Mediatrix is a term for a female mediator—a woman who mediates or helps to settle a dispute or create agreement when there is conflict between two or more people or groups by acting as an intermediary or go-between for those parties.

Another word for mediatrix is mediatress. Usually, the gender-neutral term mediator is used. The plural of mediatrix can be mediatrices or mediatrixes.

A mediatrix acts as an impartial third party to guide the communication between the conflicting parties.

Although the word mediator can be used in informal situations, mediatrix is typically used in formal ones, such as the mediation of a labor dispute between a company and its striking employees or the mediation of a divorce.

Example: She was a world-class mediatrix who was brought in to mediate the toughest negotiations.

Where does mediatrix come from?

The first records of the word mediatrix come from the 1400s. It ultimately comes from the Latin verb mediāre, meaning “to be in the middle” or “to intercede.” The words intermediary and medium are related. The ending -trix is used in words that specifically refer to a female, such as directrix and aviatrix.

Today, words like mediatrix are not commonly used. When they are used, it’s often by women applying the terms to themselves. Such terms are also sometimes used to emphasize that a woman has done some kind of groundbreaking work. For example, Amelia Earhart is often referred to as a pioneering aviatrix.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to mediatrix?

• mediatrices (plural)
• mediatrixes (plural)

What are some synonyms for mediatrix?

• mediatress
• mediator

What are some words that share a root or word element with mediatrix? 

• mediate
• mediatorial
• mediatory
• mediation
• remediation

What are some words that often get used in discussing mediatrix?

• intermediary
• go-between
• arbitrator
• facilitator
• parties
• conflict
• arbitrate
• negotiation
• compromise
• agreement
• settlement
• dispute

How is mediatrix used in real life?

The word mediatrix is not commonly used.

Sometimes I wish I would stop getting myself involved so much. May, you don't have to assume the role of mediatrix all the time.

— μαΐα 🏹 (@yours_reyna) May 30, 2017

Mary places herself between her Son and mankind. She acts as a mediatrix not as an outsider, but in her position as mother -St John Paul II

— National Shrine (@MarysShrine) July 30, 2015

address me as a “mediatrix” from now on pic.twitter.com/W1RdGaY0B9

— bl༄bo (@woedealer) September 17, 2019

 

 

Try using mediatrix!

Is mediatrix used correctly in the following sentence?

He was the best mediatrix in the business for labor disputes.