Saintesses

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A female saint recognized for her holiness and virtue in religious contexts
2. Women acknowledged for their exemplary lives and significant contributions to faith, often canonized by the Church
3. Individuals venerated as saints, possessing revered qualities, and serving as moral exemplars in various spiritual traditions

Etymology: "Saintesses" is the plural of "saintess," a word for a holy woman who has been canonized. It is formed from "saint" with the feminine suffix "-ess," which English took from Old French "-esse" and attached to many nouns for women (such as "actress" or "hostess"). The form "saintess" appeared in Middle English as "seintesse," so the feminine ending has been in use for centuries. Yet the word is rare in modern English, because most writers simply say "female saints" or use "saint" for both sexes. The plural takes the regular "-es" ending, since it ends in a sibilant sound. Its scarcity is part of what makes it feel like an old-fashioned coinage, even though its parts are ordinary.

Synonyms: holy women, virtuous women, pious women, martyrs, blessed figures