amateuse

English

Etymology

From amateur (from French amateur) and French -euse, female form of -eur. The standard female form of French amateur is amatrice.

Noun

amateuse (plural amateuses)

1. A female amateur.
   • 1842 July, The Art-Union. A Monthly Journal of Fine Arts, volume IV, London: […] J. How, […], section “Amateur Artists’ Conversazioni”, page 165, column 3:

     This Society, already distinguished by their extreme liberality and brilliant assemblies, do themselves additional honour by the periodical invitation of lady artists and amateuses, some of whom contribute works of much excellence to the exhibitions.

   • 1880, “New Books”, in The Irish Monthly: A Magazine of General Literature, volume eighth, Dublin: M. H. Gill & Son, […]. London: Burns & Oates; Simpkin, Marshall & Co., section IV (Other New Books), page 460:

     “King Rodolpho’s Will” (Burns & Oates) is a drama of the time of the Crusades, by the Rev. H. C. Duke. There is plenty of striking incident in it, and it may be effective for representation by young amateurs, especially as no amateuses are required in it.

   • 1923, Literary Digest International Book Review, page 37, column 1:

     Les looked around the room for Em. His glance passed Lou Kohn, leading amateuse of the Teacup Theater (who was draped against a door à la Sarah Bernhardt), and rested on Em and Howard—alone in a window-seat.

   • 1975, R. M. Koster, “Notes”, in The Dissertation, section 4 (Procedure):

     In this regard, I am reminded of an incident in the home of Doña Reina de Abeja, an amateuse of the occult, who some years ago brought a medium from Duluth, Minnesota, for the delectation of her cronies.

   • 1977, Michael Clayton, Cross Country Riding, →ISBN, page 120:

     The eight contestants too comprised the spirit of fraternité four professional men, three gentlemen-riders and one lady amateuse.

   • 1977, The National Society of Film Critics on Movie Comedy, →ISBN, page 74:

     So our plucky thieves switch to a “cash business,” which Gaston doesn’t mind but Lily does. Lily is an amateuse, and it takes the heart out of her work to steal something she can’t wear.

   • 1979, Letter to His Friends, Doblinger, →ISBN, page 28:

     Marie was clearly the more musical of the two daughters and is even mentioned as an “amateuse in the playing of the piano-forte” in a Viennese almanach from the year 1832.

   • 1999 February 25, quondam, “Boarding school for Beatrice and Eugenie?”, in alt.gossip.royalty (Usenet):

     I am not a psychiatrist -- I am a psychiatric amateur (amateuse); a mere hobbyist.

   • 2002 December 4, Lorremiddy, “APC9 Touchy Feeling”, in alt.polyamory (Usenet):

     I'd love to take more lessons including studying anatomy. But after reading professionals dicker about draping I thought to myself that I'd rather just remain amateur. And I mean that in the best possible way. / Lorre (or is that amateuse?)

Synonyms

• amatrice