Cantoress

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A woman known for her vocal artistry, often highlighted in solo performances or as a leading figure in choirs, especially in religious ceremonies
2. An individual identifying as female who excels in singing, frequently featured in prominent roles within ensembles or choral groups, particularly in spiritual or traditional music
3. A woman who performs singing, particularly in sacred or classical musical settings

Etymology: "Cantoress" is a plain formation: the Latin-derived "cantor," meaning a singer who leads chant, with the English feminine suffix "-ess" added to mark a woman. "Cantor" itself comes from Latin "cantor," "singer," from "canere," "to sing," which also gave English words such as "chant" and "incantation." The Latin "cantor" was used for a man who led the singing in a church or synagogue, so the suffix simply makes the female counterpart explicit. The word is a clear example of how English has long attached "-ess" to nouns for women performers and workers, as in "actress," "poetess," and "hostess." Its meaning stays close to its base: a woman who sings, especially in sacred or formal music, where she would fill the role a cantor fills in a men's setting.

Synonyms: singer, vocalist, musician, chantress, performer