princess English · revision 4742

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=a. 1380|origins=en prince}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /prɪnˈses/, /ˈprɪn.ses/, US /ˈprɪn.sɪs/, /ˈprɪn.ses/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|princesse]],^(MWU 2024) a native formation from [[prince]] and the suffix [[-ess]],^(Etymonline) in some later instances [[bor|fro|princesse]], the feminine of prince.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) Compare Medieval Latin principissa and Italian principessa.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A woman or anything personified as feminine likened to a princess as pre-eminent: before 1380 in the OED;^(OED 1989) a woman of royal or noble birth, the daughter or wife of a ruler, or a female ruler: the late 14th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) about 1400 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A female sovereign or queen (about 1400) is now archaic.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) The wife of a prince is also about 1400,^(OED 1989) and a daughter or granddaughter of a monarch from 1508.^(OED 1989) As a term of address to a lover it is found in the early 15th century, and to a woman or girl colloquially by 1924.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A size of roofing slate is called a princess (1878).^(OED 1989) ''Princesse lointaine'', an ideal but unattainable woman, is from Rostand's play of 1895.^(Etymonline) As a dress style, close-fitting from shoulder to flared hem, MWU dates it from 1866.^(MWU 2024)^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * a. 1380 – a pre-eminent woman, figuratively.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1400 – a female ruler; the wife of a prince.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1508 – the daughter of a monarch.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1866 – a dress style.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1924 – a form of address.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A daughter or granddaughter of a [[monarch]], or another woman of a [[royal family]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The wife of a prince.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A woman who rules a principality.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(informal)'' A girl or woman who is spoiled or regarded as having privileges like those of a princess.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of a dress or coat, fitting closely and falling in unbroken lines from the shoulders to a flared hem.^(AHD)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[princesslike]]

+ * [[princessly]]

+ * [[princess regent]]

+ * [[princess tree]]

+ * [[crown princess]]

+ * [[princess flower]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[princely]]

+ * [[principality]]

+ * [[prince]]

+ * [[principal]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}