taskmistress

[ task-mis-tris, tahsk- ]

noun

1. a woman whose function it is to assign tasks, especially burdensome ones, to others.
2. a woman who supervises others' work rigorously.

Gender Note

See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of taskmistress¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; task + mistress

Example Sentences

This description probably makes Ho sound like a taskmistress – an approachable one, but a drill coach more than the life coach that she is.

From Salon

Uncle Clifford is a taskmistress, but she minds her dancers less in the way of a madam than a mother hen.

From Salon

Ivana Trump was an immigrant from communist Czechoslovakia and a taskmistress who would not brook dissent.

From Time

Mrs Merkel knows that standing out as Europe’s taskmistress will be resented.

From Economist

Ye find it not in luxury nor in gold, Not in the fame nor in the envied sway, For which O willing slaves to custom old, Severe taskmistress, ye your hearts have sold.

From Project Gutenberg