bastardess

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From bastard +‎ -ess, since 1843.

Noun[edit]

bastardess (plural bastardesses)

  1. (dated, rare) A woman who was born out of wedlock, and hence often considered an illegitimate descendant.
    • 1843, David Aaron De Sola, Morris Jacob Raphall, Eighteen Treatises from the Mishna, page 217:
      [] when a bastard marries a bastardess, and he has a legitimate Israelite brother :–all these marriages are indeed legal []
  2. (vulgar, offensive or derogatory, referring specifically to a woman) A contemptible, inconsiderate, overly or arrogantly rude or spiteful woman.
    • 2019, Christina Bauer, My Necromancer Romance, page 371:
      A bastardess like me would never be allowed past the door.

Usage notes[edit]

  • Bastard may also be used to refer to a female bastard.