Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A female spectator or looker-on.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun A female beholder or looker-on.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun dated A female spectator.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Latin spectatrix.

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Examples

  • Now all the impressions of burning desire, from the lively scenes I had been spectatress of, ripened by the heat of this exercise, and, collecting to a head, throbbed and agitated me with insupportable irritations: I was perfectly fevered and maddened with their excess.

    How to Do the History of Pornography: Romantic Sexuality and its Field of Vision 2006

  • Edgar, looking after her with affected reproach, but real admiration, asked the hand of Eugenia; who gave it with readiness and pleasure; for, though contented as a spectatress, she experienced an agreeable surprise in becoming a party engaged.

    Camilla 2008

  • At the end of the two dances, Lord Ernolf again attempted to engage her for his son, but she now excused herself from dancing any more, and sat quietly as a spectatress till the rest of the company gave over.

    Cecilia 2008

  • I know you are merely a spectatress, and I will not alarm your friends, nor dwell myself, upon collateral mischiefs, or eventual dangers, from a business that in three days will end, by your restoration to the most respectable of all protections.

    Camilla 2008

  • Of all these little incidents, Dot was the amused and open – eyed spectatress from her chair in the cart; and as she sat there, looking on — a charming little portrait framed to admiration by the tilt — there was no lack of nudgings and glancings and whisperings and envyings among the younger men.

    The Cricket on the Hearth 2007

  • Acropolis rose high, spectatress of a thousand changes, of ancient glory,

    The Last Man 2003

  • Of all the little incidents of the day, Dot was the amused and open-eyed spectatress from her chair in the cart; making a charming little portrait as she sat there, looking on.

    Ten Girls from Dickens Kate Dickinson Sweetser

  • Page 250 and I resolved to be at least a spectatress of this.

    Belle Boyd in Camp and Prison 1865

  • The hapless cause of all stood "spectatress of the fray" beside her kitchen fire.

    Mistress and Maid. A Household Story. 1864

  • Above his tent was a smaller pavilion in the shape of a watch-tower, in which was seated, as spectatress of the fights, the Georgian Princess, the strong-minded Rosalinde, who had, by praiseworthy perseverance, and allowing no trifles to stand in her way, completely won the heart of

    The Seven Champions of Christendom William Henry Giles Kingston 1847

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